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UK vs Australia CO2 per capita
Australia has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1970 United Kingdom stood at roughly 94% of Australia’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 30%, and the pair was closest in 1971 (95%).
| Year | United Kingdom | Australia | Australia as % of UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 12.85 | 12.1 | 94% |
| 1970 | 12.85 | 12.1 | 94% |
| 1980 | 15.13 | 10.81 | 71% |
| 1990 | 16.27 | 10.18 | 63% |
| 2000 | 18.6 | 9.37 | 50% |
| 2010 | 18.85 | 7.98 | 42% |
| 2020 | 15.3 | 4.79 | 31% |
| 2024 | 14.1 | 4.22 | 30% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Australia pass United Kingdom in CO2 per capita?
It has not come to that. Australia has posted the larger CO2 per capita in every published year (1970–2024).
How do United Kingdom and Australia compare today?
Australia is ahead: 14.1 against 4.22 — the trailing economy stands at about 30% 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: