Home / Comparisons / Japan vs France CO2 per capita
Japan vs France CO2 per capita
Japan overtook France in 1981. In 1970 France stood at roughly 110% of Japan’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 51%, and the pair was closest in 1981 (98%).
| Year | Japan | France | France as % of Japan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 8.21 | 9.02 | 110% |
| 1970 | 8.21 | 9.02 | 110% |
| 1980 | 8.59 | 9.17 | 107% |
| 1990 | 9.41 | 6.61 | 70% |
| 2000 | 9.8 | 6.58 | 67% |
| 2010 | 9.5 | 5.8 | 61% |
| 2020 | 8.4 | 4.25 | 51% |
| 2024 | 7.84 | 4 | 51% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Japan pass France in CO2 per capita?
In 1981. Japan’s published CO2 per capita rose above France’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do Japan and France compare today?
Japan is ahead: 7.84 against 4 — the trailing economy stands at about 51% 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: