Afghanistan

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 4.23 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 11.3 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.015 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 8.04 kt (2023) +20%

Value 8.04 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +19.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 0.991 kg/ha (2023) +14%

Value 0.991 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +14.2%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year -50.4 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0 kg/person (2023) -100%

Value 0 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1974 -100.0%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 14.4 t (2020) +188%

Value 14.4 t (2020)

Change since 2000 +188.3%

Definition (source: OECD): From the online data portal FAOSTAT maintained by the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) : 'Nutrient nitrogen' is defined as total nitrogen (N) from all fertilizer products. The 'Fertilizers by Nutrient' domain contains information on agricultural use, production, and trade of chemical and mineral fertilizers, in tonnes of nutrient, for the three main plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) and potassium (expressed as K2O). The main data source for production and agricultural use is the FAOSTAT Fertilizers questionnaire, complemented with national publications when available. Agricultural use of fertilizers refers to the use for crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, excluding use for animal feed. Industrial uses are excluded, to the extent allowed by data availability. Tonnes of nutrient nitrogen are calculated using conversion factors applied to volumes of nitrogenous fertilizers. For more information, please see: http://fenixservices.fao.org/faostat/static/documents/RFN/RFN_EN_README.pdf

Citation: OECD (2024). "Nutrient nitrogen production," Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD): Table 23 - Ecological sustainability, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/vis?lc=en&tm=nitrogen&pg=0&snb=15&df[ds]=dsDisseminateFinalDMZ&df[id]=DSD_AFDD_STAT_ANNEX%40DF_TAB23&df[ag]=OECD.DEV.EMEA&df[vs]=1.0&dq=......A&pd=,&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&vw=ov

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2002 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 6.6 kg/ha (2023) +4487%

Value 6.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +4486.8%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 48.1 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 17.9 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 4.4 kg/ha (2023) +3285%

Value 4.4 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3284.6%

Total N fertilizer production 14.4 kt (2023) -25%

Value 14.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1974 -24.6%

N fertilizer imports 24.4 kt (2023) +2342%

Value 24.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +2341.9%

N fertilizer exports 3.11 kt (2023) -66%

Value 3.11 kt (2023)

Change since 1976 -66.2%

N fertilizer use per capita 0.86 kg/ person (2023) +682%

Value 0.86 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 +681.8%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 35.7 kt (2023) +3472%

Value 35.7 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +3472.2%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 4.4 kg/ha (2023) +3285%

Value 4.4 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3284.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 7.41 kg/ha (2023) +5646%

Value 7.41 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +5646.3%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 71.6 kt (2023) +27%

Value 71.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +27.2%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 8.82 kg/ha (2023) +21%

Value 8.82 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +21.5%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 5.06 g per $ (2023) +1197%

Value 5.06 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +1197.4%

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 43.1 t (2020) +763%

Value 43.1 t (2020)

Change since 2000 +762.8%

Definition (source: OECD): From the online data portal FAOSTAT maintained by the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) : 'Nutrient nitrogen' is defined as total nitrogen (N) from all fertilizer products. The 'Fertilizers by Nutrient' domain contains information on agricultural use, production, and trade of chemical and mineral fertilizers, in tonnes of nutrient, for the three main plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) and potassium (expressed as K2O). The main data source for production and agricultural use is the FAOSTAT Fertilizers questionnaire, complemented with national publications when available. Agricultural use of fertilizers refers to the use for crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, excluding use for animal feed. Industrial uses are excluded, to the extent allowed by data availability. Tonnes of nutrient nitrogen are calculated using conversion factors applied to volumes of nitrogenous fertilizers. For more information, please see: https://fenixservices.fao.org/faostat/static/documents/RFN/RFN_EN_README.pdf

Citation: OECD (2024). "Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen," Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD): Table 23 - Ecological sustainability, OECD Data Explorer, https://data-explorer.oecd.org/vis?lc=en&tm=nitrogen&pg=0&snb=15&df[ds]=dsDisseminateFinalDMZ&df[id]=DSD_AFDD_STAT_ANNEX%40DF_TAB23&df[ag]=OECD.DEV.EMEA&df[vs]=1.0&dq=......A&pd=,&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false&vw=ov

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 20.6 t (2021) +360%

Value 20.6 t (2021)

Change since 2011 +359.9%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 6.77 k$ (2021) +152%

Value 6.77 k$ (2021)

Change since 2011 +151.7%

Export of ammonium nitrate single year 34 t (2019) —

Export value of ammonium nitrate single year 10.3 k$ (2019) —

Import of ammonium nitrate 1 t (2013) -100%

Value 1 t (2013)

Change since 2002 -99.9%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 2.8 k$ (2013) -98%

Value 2.8 k$ (2013)

Change since 2002 -97.7%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 278 t (2022) +198471%

Value 278 t (2022)

Change since 2003 +198471.4%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 62.5 k$ (2022) +312350%

Value 62.5 k$ (2022)

Change since 2003 +312350.0%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate single year 0.03 t (2003) —

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate single year 1.51 k$ (2003) —

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 33.6 t (2020) -16%

Value 33.6 t (2020)

Change since 2007 -16.0%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 15.7 k$ (2020) -82%

Value 15.7 k$ (2020)

Change since 2007 -82.2%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 60.2 kt N (2023) +5916%

Value 60.2 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +5916.1%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 74.2 t (2024) +253%

Value 74.2 t (2024)

Change since 2011 +253.3%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 2.81 k$ (2024) -72%

Value 2.81 k$ (2024)

Change since 2011 -71.9%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 69.5 t (2024) -98%

Value 69.5 t (2024)

Change since 2003 -98.3%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 69.2 k$ (2024) -93%

Value 69.2 k$ (2024)

Change since 2003 -93.3%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 47.7 kt (2004) +166%

Value 47.7 kt (2004)

Change since 2002 +166.5%

Export of NPK fertilizers 0.01 t (2020) -100%

Value 0.01 t (2020)

Change since 2008 -100.0%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 10 $ (2020) -100%

Value 10 $ (2020)

Change since 2008 -100.0%

Import of NPK fertilizers 132 t (2024) +230%

Value 132 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +230.3%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 130 k$ (2024) +1336%

Value 130 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1336.3%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 68 t (2023) +9755%

Value 68 t (2023)

Change since 2002 +9755.1%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 103 k$ (2023) +6461%

Value 103 k$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +6460.5%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 140 t (2024) +345%

Value 140 t (2024)

Change since 2003 +344.6%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 29.6 k$ (2024) +105%

Value 29.6 k$ (2024)

Change since 2003 +104.8%

Agriculture use of urea 519 kt (2018) +1127%

Value 519 kt (2018)

Change since 2004 +1127.2%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 810 $ (2014) -67%

Value 810 $ (2014)

Change since 2002 -66.8%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 1.25 t (2014) -69%

Value 1.25 t (2014)

Change since 2002 -68.8%

Export of urea 6.34 kt (2023) +12691%

Value 6.34 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 +12690.7%

Export value of urea 2.89 M$ (2023) +43435%

Value 2.89 M$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +43434.5%

Import of urea 143 kt (2024) +12302%

Value 143 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +12301.9%

Import value of urea 62 M$ (2024) +5033%

Value 62 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +5033.3%

Production of urea 31.3 kt (2016) -38%

Value 31.3 kt (2016)

Change since 2002 -38.4%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 32.2 kt (2023) +87%

Value 32.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +87.4%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 22.3 kt (2023) -18%

Value 22.3 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -17.9%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 2.75 kg/ha (2023) -22%

Value 2.75 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -21.6%

N lost from croplands through leaching 17,885 kg/ha and ton (2023) +58%

Value 17,885 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +57.6%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 2.2 kg/ha (2023) +50%

Value 2.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +50.5%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 3.97 kg/ha (2023) +79%

Value 3.97 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +79.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 131 kt (2023) +73%

Value 131 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +73.1%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 96.3 kt (2023) +121%

Value 96.3 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +121.4%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 16.1 kg/ha (2023) +65%

Value 16.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +65.3%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 11.9 kg/ha (2023) +111%

Value 11.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +111.4%

Nitrogen use efficiency 59.5 % (2014) -20%

Value 59.5 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -19.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 3.14 Mt CO₂e (2024) +29%

Value 3.14 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +28.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 3,830 Gt CO₂e (2023) +60%

Value 3,830 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +59.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 92.4 t CO₂e/person (2023) -54%

Value 92.4 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -53.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0252 t (2023) -73%

Value 0.0252 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -72.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0509 t (2023) -56%

Value 0.0509 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -55.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0003 t (2023) -92%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -91.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0345 t (2023) +386%

Value 0.0345 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +385.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.111 t (2023) +9%

Value 0.111 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +9.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0014 t (2023) +100%

Value 0.0014 t (2023)

Change since 2022 +100.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.914 t (2023) +65%

Value 0.914 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +64.6%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0089 t (2023) -75%

Value 0.0089 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -74.6%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for sugar cane 0.0001 t (2023) +0%

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +0.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.005 t (2023) -38%

Value 0.005 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -38.3%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0561 t (2023) -10%

Value 0.0561 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -10.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0057 t (2023) -73%

Value 0.0057 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -72.9%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0115 t (2023) -56%

Value 0.0115 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -55.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0001 t (2023) -88%

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.5%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0078 t (2023) +387%

Value 0.0078 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +387.5%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.0251 t (2023) +10%

Value 0.0251 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +9.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0003 t (2023) +50%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 2022 +50.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.206 t (2023) +65%

Value 0.206 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +64.6%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 30.9 t (2023) -73%

Value 30.9 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -72.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 62.4 t (2023) -56%

Value 62.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -55.8%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.4 t (2023) -91%

Value 0.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -91.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 42.2 t (2023) +385%

Value 42.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +385.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 136 t (2023) +9%

Value 136 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +9.3%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 1.7 t (2023) +89%

Value 1.7 t (2023)

Change since 2022 +88.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 1.12 kt (2023) +65%

Value 1.12 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +64.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 7.52 kt (2023) +35%

Value 7.52 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +34.6%

N content from crop residues, for barley 1.6 kt (2023) -73%

Value 1.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -72.9%

N content from crop residues, for maize 3.24 kt (2023) -56%

Value 3.24 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -55.8%

N content from crop residues, for millet 21.2 t (2023) -91%

Value 21.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -90.9%

N content from crop residues, for oats 21.2 t (2023) -91%

Value 21.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -90.9%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 2.19 kt (2023) +387%

Value 2.19 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +387.4%

N content from crop residues, for rice 7.09 kt (2023) +9%

Value 7.09 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +9.3%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 87.6 t (2023) +87%

Value 87.6 t (2023)

Change since 2022 +86.9%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 58.2 kt (2023) +65%

Value 58.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +64.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 0.927 kg/ha (2023) +29%

Value 0.927 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +28.6%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 3.78 Mt CO₂e (2024) +50%

Value 3.78 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +50.4%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 86 % change (2024) +3094%

Value 86 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +3093.6%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 4,346 Gt CO₂e (2024) +1845%

Value 4,346 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +1844.6%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.148 % (2024) -5%

Value 0.148 % (2024)

Change since 1850 -4.8%

Definition (source: Our World in Data): A dataset describing the global warming response to national emissions CO2, CH4 and N2O from fossil and land use sources during 1851-2024. National CO2 emissions data are collated from the Global Carbon Project (Andrew and Peters, 2025; Friedlingstein et al., 2025). National CH4 and N2O emissions data are collated from PRIMAP-hist (HISTTP) (Gütschow et al., 2024). We construct a time series of cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions for each country, gas, and emissions source (fossil or land use). Emissions of CH4 and N2O emissions are related to cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions using the Global Warming Potential (GWP*) approach, with best-estimates of the coefficients taken from the IPCC AR6 (Forster et al., 2021). Warming in response to cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions is estimated using the transient climate response to cumulative carbon emissions (TCRE) approach, with best-estimate value of TCRE taken from the IPCC AR6 (Forster et al., 2021, Canadell et al., 2021). 'Warming' is specifically the change in global mean surface temperature (GMST). The data files provide emissions, cumulative emissions and the GMST response by country, gas (CO2, CH4, N2O or 3-GHG total) and source (fossil emissions, land use emissions or the total).

Citation: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. “Share of global nitrous oxide emissions” [dataset]. Jones et al., “National contributions to climate change 2025.1” [original data]. Retrieved September 21, 2026 from https://archive.ourworldindata.org/20260910-011030/grapher/share-nitrous-oxide-emissions.html (archived on September 10, 2026).

N₂O from all sectors per capita single year 0.015 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 38.1 kt CO₂e (2024) +958%

Value 38.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +958.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 5.5 kt CO₂e (2024) +206%

Value 5.5 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +205.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 13.7 kt CO₂e (2024) +3325%

Value 13.7 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +3325.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 102 kt CO₂e (2024) +935%

Value 102 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +935.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 8.9 kt CO₂e (2024) +8800%

Value 8.9 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +8800.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 49.8 kt CO₂e (2024) +2390%

Value 49.8 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +2390.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 424 kt CO₂e (2024) +632%

Value 424 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +631.6%

Population (total) 43.8 M (2025) +385%

Value 43.8 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +385.3%

GDP (current US$) 17.8 B$ (2024) +405%

Value 17.8 B$ (2024)

Change since 2000 +404.9%

GDP per capita (current US$) 417 $ (2024) +138%

Value 417 $ (2024)

Change since 2000 +138.3%

Cropland area (% of land area) 0.414 % of land area (2023) +170%

Value 0.414 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +170.0%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 2 policies (2018) —

Number of Public Policies Enacted (by Year) 0 policies (2018) —

Value 0 policies (2018)

Change since 1905 —

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) 34.3 % of GDP (2024) -11%

Value 34.3 % of GDP (2024)

Change since 2002 -11.2%

Cropland area (hectares) 8,116,000 ha (2023) +5%

Value 8,116,000 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +4.7%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations