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UK vs France CO2 per capita
United Kingdom has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1970 France stood at roughly 75% of United Kingdom’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 95%.
| Year | United Kingdom | France | France as % of UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 12.1 | 9.02 | 75% |
| 1970 | 12.1 | 9.02 | 75% |
| 1980 | 10.81 | 9.17 | 85% |
| 1990 | 10.18 | 6.61 | 65% |
| 2000 | 9.37 | 6.58 | 70% |
| 2010 | 7.98 | 5.8 | 73% |
| 2020 | 4.79 | 4.25 | 89% |
| 2024 | 4.22 | 4 | 95% |
Frequently asked questions
When did United Kingdom pass France in CO2 per capita?
It has not come to that. United Kingdom has posted the larger CO2 per capita in every published year (1970–2024).
How do United Kingdom and France compare today?
United Kingdom is ahead: 4.22 against 4 — the trailing economy stands at about 95% 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: