South Korea vs Saudi Arabia CO2 per capita

Saudi Arabia has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1970 South Korea stood at roughly 13% of Saudi Arabia’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 61%, and the pair was closest in 2018 (69%).

Frequently asked questions

When did Saudi Arabia pass South Korea in CO2 per capita?

It has not come to that. Saudi Arabia has posted the larger CO2 per capita in every published year (1970–2024).

How do Korea, Rep. and Saudi Arabia compare today?

Saudi Arabia is ahead: 18.48 against 11.36 — 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:

• South Korea — CO2 per capita
• Saudi Arabia — CO2 per capita
• All countries ranked by CO2 per capita
• Interactive comparison tool