Belgium

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 275 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 117 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.155 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 2.6 kt (2023) +489%

Value 2.6 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +488.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 2.94 kg/ha (2023) +486%

Value 2.94 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +486.2%

N balance in agroecosystems 176 kt (2015) -53%

Value 176 kt (2015)

Change since 1990 -53.4%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year -46.3 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 4.21 kg/person (2023) -44%

Value 4.21 kg/person (2023)

Change since 2002 -43.6%

Nitrogen applied from organic fertilizers (excluding livestock manure) 4.81 kt (2014) +20%

Value 4.81 kt (2014)

Change since 1990 +19.7%

Nitrogen applied from inorganic fertilizers 145 kt (2014) -31%

Value 145 kt (2014)

Change since 1990 -31.5%

Nitrogen produced from cattle manure 165 kt (2014) -27%

Value 165 kt (2014)

Change since 1990 -26.6%

Nitrogen produced from pig manure 61.1 kt (2014) -27%

Value 61.1 kt (2014)

Change since 1990 -27.1%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 788 t (2020) -0%

Value 788 t (2020)

Change since 2002 -0.3%

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 192 kg/ha (2023) -41%

Value 192 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2002 -41.2%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 143 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 337 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 120 kg/ha (2023) -32%

Value 120 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2002 -32.0%

Total N fertilizer production 572 kt (2023) -28%

Value 572 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 -27.6%

N fertilizer imports 555 kt (2023) +7%

Value 555 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +6.6%

N fertilizer exports 993 kt (2023) -38%

Value 993 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 -38.0%

N fertilizer use per capita 9.11 kg/ person (2023) -38%

Value 9.11 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 2002 -37.7%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 107 kt (2023) -29%

Value 107 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 -29.4%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 120 kg/ha (2023) -32%

Value 120 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2002 -32.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 149 kg/ha (2023) -16%

Value 149 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 -16.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 138 kt (2023) -21%

Value 138 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 -20.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 156 kg/ha (2023) -21%

Value 156 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 -21.1%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 12 g per $ (2023) -29%

Value 12 g per $ (2023)

Change since 2002 -29.3%

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 175 t (2020) +16%

Value 175 t (2020)

Change since 2002 +15.8%

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

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) 84.4 kt (2024) -24%

Value 84.4 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -23.7%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 50 M$ (2024) +136%

Value 50 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +135.6%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 755 kt (2024) +7%

Value 755 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +7.5%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 362 M$ (2024) +309%

Value 362 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +309.3%

Export of ammonium nitrate 75.5 kt (2024) -65%

Value 75.5 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -65.4%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 24.2 M$ (2024) -31%

Value 24.2 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -30.7%

Import of ammonium nitrate 64.2 kt (2024) -44%

Value 64.2 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -43.6%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 18.2 M$ (2024) -16%

Value 18.2 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -15.9%

Export of ammonium sulphate 1.13 Mt (2024) -16%

Value 1.13 Mt (2024)

Change since 2002 -16.1%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 227 M$ (2024) +198%

Value 227 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +197.8%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 53.6 kt (2024) -71%

Value 53.6 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -71.1%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 12.7 M$ (2024) -18%

Value 12.7 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -18.3%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 1.43 Mt (2024) -8%

Value 1.43 Mt (2024)

Change since 2010 -7.6%

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 372 M$ (2024) +7%

Value 372 M$ (2024)

Change since 2010 +7.0%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 175 kt (2024) -22%

Value 175 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -21.6%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 41.6 M$ (2024) +63%

Value 41.6 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +63.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 132 kt N (2023) -16%

Value 132 kt N (2023)

Change since 2000 -15.7%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 109 kt (2024) +105%

Value 109 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +105.5%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 20.1 M$ (2024) +54%

Value 20.1 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +53.5%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 10.6 kt (2024) -82%

Value 10.6 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -82.0%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 9.69 M$ (2024) -26%

Value 9.69 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -25.5%

Export of NPK fertilizers 1.29 Mt (2024) -41%

Value 1.29 Mt (2024)

Change since 2002 -41.0%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 1.29 B$ (2024) -41%

Value 1.29 B$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -41.0%

Import of NPK fertilizers 100 kt (2024) -49%

Value 100 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -48.5%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 61.2 M$ (2024) +52%

Value 61.2 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +52.1%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 150 kt (2024) +106%

Value 150 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +105.7%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 41.9 M$ (2024) +282%

Value 41.9 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +282.2%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 116 kt (2024) +71%

Value 116 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +70.7%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 33 M$ (2024) +182%

Value 33 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +182.1%

Export of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 128 kt (2024) -56%

Value 128 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -55.8%

Export value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 35.4 M$ (2024) +60%

Value 35.4 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +60.1%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 64.3 M$ (2024) +175%

Value 64.3 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +174.8%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 296 kt (2024) +12%

Value 296 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +12.5%

Export of urea 303 kt (2024) +1%

Value 303 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +0.9%

Export value of urea 80.5 M$ (2024) +134%

Value 80.5 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +133.8%

Import of urea 618 kt (2024) +76%

Value 618 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +76.1%

Import value of urea 169 M$ (2024) +259%

Value 169 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +259.3%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 73.5 kt (2023) +40%

Value 73.5 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +40.4%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 9.09 kt (2023) +13%

Value 9.09 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +13.2%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 10.3 kg/ha (2023) +13%

Value 10.3 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +12.7%

N lost from croplands through leaching 38,302 kg/ha and ton (2023) +10%

Value 38,302 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 2000 +9.8%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 43.2 kg/ha (2023) +9%

Value 43.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +9.4%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 82.9 kg/ha (2023) +40%

Value 82.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +39.8%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 84.3 kt (2023) +4%

Value 84.3 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +4.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 40.1 kt (2023) +19%

Value 40.1 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +18.7%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 95.1 kg/ha (2023) +4%

Value 95.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +3.5%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 45.3 kg/ha (2023) +18%

Value 45.3 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +18.2%

Nitrogen use efficiency 36 % (2014) +34%

Value 36 % (2014)

Change since 2000 +34.4%

Nitrate concentration in freshwater 27.7 mg/L (2006) -9%

Value 27.7 mg/L (2006)

Change since 1992 -9.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 2.21 Mt CO₂e (2024) -10%

Value 2.21 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -10.1%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from croplands 45 Mt CO₂e (2021) +2292%

Value 45 Mt CO₂e (2021)

Change since 1990 +2291.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from forestlands 23 kt CO₂e (2021) -70%

Value 23 kt CO₂e (2021)

Change since 1990 -70.1%

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions from agriculture 63 kt (2021) -51%

Value 63 kt (2021)

Change since 1990 -50.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 2,540 Gt CO₂e (2023) -24%

Value 2,540 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 -24.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 217 t CO₂e/person (2023) -36%

Value 217 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -35.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0699 t (2023) +17%

Value 0.0699 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +16.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0001 t (2017) +0%

Value 0.0001 t (2017)

Change since 2000 +0.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0641 t (2023) +31%

Value 0.0641 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +31.1%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0018 t (2023) -59%

Value 0.0018 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -59.1%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0957 t (2023) +40%

Value 0.0957 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +40.1%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.0007 t (2023) -13%

Value 0.0007 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -12.5%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.343 t (2023) +6%

Value 0.343 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +5.9%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0037 t (2023) +48%

Value 0.0037 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +48.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2018 —

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.006 t (2023) +0%

Value 0.006 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +0.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0157 t (2023) +17%

Value 0.0157 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +17.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0 t (2017) —

Value 0 t (2017)

Change since 2000 —

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0144 t (2023) +31%

Value 0.0144 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +30.9%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0004 t (2023) -60%

Value 0.0004 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -60.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0215 t (2023) +40%

Value 0.0215 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +39.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.0001 t (2023) -50%

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -50.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0772 t (2023) +6%

Value 0.0772 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +5.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 85.6 t (2023) +17%

Value 85.6 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +16.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.1 t (2017) -50%

Value 0.1 t (2017)

Change since 2000 -50.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 78.5 t (2023) +31%

Value 78.5 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +31.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 2.3 t (2023) -57%

Value 2.3 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -57.4%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 117 t (2023) +40%

Value 117 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +40.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.8 t (2023) -20%

Value 0.8 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -20.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 420 t (2023) +6%

Value 420 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +5.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 1.66 kt (2023) -4%

Value 1.66 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 -3.8%

N content from crop residues, for barley 4.45 kt (2023) +17%

Value 4.45 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +16.9%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 3.76 t (2017) -59%

Value 3.76 t (2017)

Change since 2000 -58.7%

N content from crop residues, for maize 4.08 kt (2023) +31%

Value 4.08 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +31.0%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 6.09 kt (2023) +40%

Value 6.09 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +40.2%

N content from crop residues, for rye 42.4 t (2023) -14%

Value 42.4 t (2023)

Change since 2000 -14.2%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 21.8 kt (2023) +6%

Value 21.8 kt (2023)

Change since 2000 +5.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 1.87 kg/ha (2023) -4%

Value 1.87 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 2000 -4.2%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 7.45 Mt CO₂e (2024) -11%

Value 7.45 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -11.4%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) -0.706 % change (2024) +29%

Value -0.706 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +28.8%

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions 67.5 kt (2021) -49%

Value 67.5 kt (2021)

Change since 1990 -48.7%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 3.93 Gt CO₂e (2023) -54%

Value 3.93 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 -53.7%

Total man-made nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) emissions 120 t (2023) -72%

Value 120 t (2023)

Change since 1990 -71.8%

Total man-made ammonia (NH₃) emissions 62.6 t (2023) -50%

Value 62.6 t (2023)

Change since 1990 -50.2%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 8,379 Gt CO₂e (2024) +1457%

Value 8,379 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +1457.1%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.285 % (2024) -24%

Value 0.285 % (2024)

Change since 1850 -23.8%

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).

Ammonium concentration in freshwater 0.101 mg/L (2021) -46%

Value 0.101 mg/L (2021)

Change since 1999 -46.5%

N₂O from all sectors per capita single year 0.155 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 152 kt CO₂e (2024) -20%

Value 152 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -20.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 2.9 kt CO₂e (2024) +12%

Value 2.9 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +11.5%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 48.7 kt CO₂e (2024) -37%

Value 48.7 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -36.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 4.42 Mt CO₂e (2024) -17%

Value 4.42 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -16.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 59.1 kt CO₂e (2024) +4%

Value 59.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +4.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 227 kt CO₂e (2024) +49%

Value 227 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +49.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 327 kt CO₂e (2024) +112%

Value 327 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +112.1%

Population (total) 11.9 M (2025) +30%

Value 11.9 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +30.5%

GDP (current US$) 725 B$ (2025) +6042%

Value 725 B$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +6042.5%

GDP per capita (current US$) 60.8 k$ (2025) +4608%

Value 60.8 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +4608.3%

Cropland area (% of land area) 0.761 % of land area (2023) +12%

Value 0.761 % of land area (2023)

Change since 2000 +12.1%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 53 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) 0.73 % of GDP (2025) -44%

Value 0.73 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1995 -44.1%

Cropland area (hectares) 886,359 ha (2023) +0%

Value 886,359 ha (2023)

Change since 2000 +0.4%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations