China

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 150 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 24.6 Mt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 32.8 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 3.6 Mt (2023) +56%

Value 3.6 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +55.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 28.1 kg/ha (2023) +28%

Value 28.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +27.8%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 173 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 6.19 kg/person (2023) +12280%

Value 6.19 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1961 +12280.0%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 2.05 Mt (2023) +102318%

Value 2.05 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +102318.1%

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 394 kg/ha (2023) +5453%

Value 394 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +5453.1%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 31.3 Mt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 192 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 192 kg/ha (2023) +3593%

Value 192 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3592.7%

Total N fertilizer production 31 Mt (2023) +13514%

Value 31 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +13513.7%

N fertilizer imports 272 kt (2023) -16%

Value 272 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -16.0%

N fertilizer exports 6.68 Mt (2023) +83419%

Value 6.68 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +83419.2%

N fertilizer use per capita 17 kg/ person (2023) +1994%

Value 17 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 +1993.8%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 24.7 Mt (2023) +4434%

Value 24.7 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +4433.7%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 191 kg/ha (2023) +3587%

Value 191 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3586.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 199 kg/ha (2023) +2836%

Value 199 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +2835.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 5.24 Mt (2023) +287%

Value 5.24 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +286.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 40.8 kg/ha (2023) +217%

Value 40.8 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +217.0%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 24.4 g per $ (2023) +350%

Value 24.4 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +350.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 25.5 Mt N (2023) +3480%

Value 25.5 Mt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +3480.3%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 8.97 Mt (2023) +1474%

Value 8.97 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1474.4%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 3.11 Mt (2023) +541%

Value 3.11 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +541.1%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 24.2 kg/ha (2023) +426%

Value 24.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +425.7%

N lost from croplands through leaching 3,515,260 kg/ha and ton (2023) +980%

Value 3,515,260 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +979.7%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 27.4 kg/ha (2023) +785%

Value 27.4 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +785.3%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 69.9 kg/ha (2023) +1191%

Value 69.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +1190.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 17.5 Mt (2023) +459%

Value 17.5 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +459.1%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 3.24 Mt (2023) +324%

Value 3.24 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +323.7%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 136 kg/ha (2023) +358%

Value 136 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +358.4%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 25.2 kg/ha (2023) +247%

Value 25.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +247.4%

Nitrogen use efficiency 32 % (2014) -49%

Value 32 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -48.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 249 Mt CO₂e (2024) +222%

Value 249 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +222.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 294,460 Gt CO₂e (2023) +30%

Value 294,460 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +30.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 207 t CO₂e/person (2023) +6%

Value 207 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 +5.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.374 t (2023) -59%

Value 0.374 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -59.4%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.191 t (2023) -65%

Value 0.191 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 36.8 t (2023) +1078%

Value 36.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1078.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.48 t (2023) -65%

Value 0.48 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0973 t (2023) -66%

Value 0.0973 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -65.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 3.01 t (2023) +371%

Value 3.01 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +370.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 34.1 t (2023) +128%

Value 34.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +127.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.0886 t (2023) -71%

Value 0.0886 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.432 t (2023) -76%

Value 0.432 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 4.52 t (2023) +66%

Value 4.52 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.4%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 26.6 t (2023) +536%

Value 26.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +535.7%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 3.1 t (2023) +191%

Value 3.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +190.9%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for sugar cane 0.0595 t (2023) +347%

Value 0.0595 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +347.4%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 1.12 t (2023) +8%

Value 1.12 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +7.9%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.662 t (2023) -8%

Value 0.662 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -7.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0841 t (2023) -59%

Value 0.0841 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -59.5%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0429 t (2023) -65%

Value 0.0429 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 8.28 t (2023) +1078%

Value 8.28 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1078.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.108 t (2023) -65%

Value 0.108 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.8%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0219 t (2023) -66%

Value 0.0219 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -65.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.677 t (2023) +371%

Value 0.677 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +370.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 7.67 t (2023) +128%

Value 7.67 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +127.8%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.0199 t (2023) -71%

Value 0.0199 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0972 t (2023) -76%

Value 0.0972 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.9%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 1.02 t (2023) +66%

Value 1.02 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.4%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 5.99 t (2023) +536%

Value 5.99 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +535.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 458 t (2023) -59%

Value 458 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -59.5%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 234 t (2023) -65%

Value 234 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.6%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 45.1 kt (2023) +1078%

Value 45.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1078.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 588 t (2023) -65%

Value 588 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.8%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 119 t (2023) -66%

Value 119 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -65.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 3.68 kt (2023) +371%

Value 3.68 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +370.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 41.7 kt (2023) +128%

Value 41.7 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +127.8%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 108 t (2023) -71%

Value 108 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 529 t (2023) -76%

Value 529 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 5.53 kt (2023) +66%

Value 5.53 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.4%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 32.6 kt (2023) +536%

Value 32.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +535.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 399 kt (2023) +7%

Value 399 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +7.0%

N content from crop residues, for barley 23.8 kt (2023) -59%

Value 23.8 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -59.5%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 12.1 kt (2023) -65%

Value 12.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.6%

N content from crop residues, for maize 2.34 Mt (2023) +1078%

Value 2.34 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1078.2%

N content from crop residues, for millet 30.5 kt (2023) -65%

Value 30.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.8%

N content from crop residues, for oats 30.5 kt (2023) -65%

Value 30.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -64.8%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 191 kt (2023) +371%

Value 191 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +370.7%

N content from crop residues, for rice 2.17 Mt (2023) +128%

Value 2.17 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +127.8%

N content from crop residues, for rye 5.64 kt (2023) -71%

Value 5.64 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.2%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 27.5 kt (2023) -76%

Value 27.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.9%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 287 kt (2023) +66%

Value 287 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.4%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 1.69 Mt (2023) +536%

Value 1.69 Mt (2023)

Change since 1961 +535.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 3.11 kg/ha (2023) -12%

Value 3.11 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -12.3%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 424 Mt CO₂e (2024) +259%

Value 424 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +259.0%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 62.7 % change (2024) +2787%

Value 62.7 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +2786.8%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 475,534 Gt CO₂e (2024) +7978%

Value 475,534 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +7978.0%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 16.2 % (2024) +296%

Value 16.2 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +295.5%

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 32.8 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 9.31 Mt CO₂e (2024) +0%

Value 9.31 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +0.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 927 kt CO₂e (2024) +637%

Value 927 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +636.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 5.73 Mt CO₂e (2024) +275%

Value 5.73 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +274.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 38.5 Mt CO₂e (2024) +80%

Value 38.5 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +80.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 64.8 Mt CO₂e (2024) +5491%

Value 64.8 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +5490.5%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 23.2 Mt CO₂e (2024) +13182%

Value 23.2 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +13182.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 31.7 Mt CO₂e (2024) +358%

Value 31.7 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +358.0%

Population (total) 1.41 B (2025) +111%

Value 1.41 B (2025)

Change since 1960 +110.9%

GDP (current US$) 19.5 T$ (2025) +32480%

Value 19.5 T$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +32480.2%

GDP per capita (current US$) 13.9 k$ (2025) +15351%

Value 13.9 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +15351.1%

Cropland area (% of land area) 2.04 % of land area (2023) +994%

Value 2.04 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +994.5%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 97 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) 6.66 % of GDP (2025) -71%

Value 6.66 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1960 -71.2%

Cropland area (hectares) 127,580,000 ha (2023) +22%

Value 127,580,000 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +22.3%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations