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Germany vs UK CO2 per capita
Germany has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1970 United Kingdom stood at roughly 87% of Germany’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 61%, and the pair was closest in 2005 (91%).
| Year | Germany | United Kingdom | UK as % of Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 13.87 | 12.1 | 87% |
| 1970 | 13.87 | 12.1 | 87% |
| 1980 | 14.5 | 10.81 | 75% |
| 1990 | 12.75 | 10.18 | 80% |
| 2000 | 10.6 | 9.37 | 88% |
| 2010 | 9.97 | 7.98 | 80% |
| 2020 | 7.72 | 4.79 | 62% |
| 2024 | 6.94 | 4.22 | 61% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Germany pass United Kingdom in CO2 per capita?
It has not come to that. Germany has posted the larger CO2 per capita in every published year (1970–2024).
How do Germany and United Kingdom compare today?
Germany is ahead: 6.94 against 4.22 — the trailing economy stands at about 61% of the leader.
Are these CO2 per capita figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — metric tons per capita — with no interpolation or estimation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: