Costa Rica

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 134 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 62.4 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.083 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 2.52 kt (2023) -9%

Value 2.52 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -9.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 4.63 kg/ha (2023) -20%

Value 4.63 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -19.8%

N balance in agroecosystems 59.3 kt (2020) -29%

Value 59.3 kt (2020)

Change since 1985 -28.9%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 0 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 13 kg/person (2023) +328%

Value 13 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1961 +327.5%

Nitrogen applied from inorganic fertilizers 86.8 kt (2020) +77%

Value 86.8 kt (2020)

Change since 1985 +77.1%

Nitrogen produced from cattle manure 49 kt (2020) -38%

Value 49 kt (2020)

Change since 1985 -38.2%

Nitrogen produced from pig manure 5.54 kt (2020) +80%

Value 5.54 kt (2020)

Change since 1985 +79.8%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2020) -100%

Value 0 t (2020)

Change since 2000 -100.0%

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 2013 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 1,025 kg/ha (2023) +1463%

Value 1,025 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +1462.6%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 76.6 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 164 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 161 kg/ha (2023) +1144%

Value 161 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +1144.5%

Total N fertilizer production 0 t (2023) -100%

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1963 -100.0%

N fertilizer imports 93.8 kt (2023) +1406%

Value 93.8 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1406.3%

N fertilizer exports 5.92 kt (2023) -15%

Value 5.92 kt (2023)

Change since 1963 -15.4%

N fertilizer use per capita 17.2 kg/ person (2023) +281%

Value 17.2 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 +280.8%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 87.9 kt (2023) +1311%

Value 87.9 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1311.2%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 161 kg/ha (2023) +1144%

Value 161 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +1144.5%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 142 kg/ha (2023) +998%

Value 142 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +998.3%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 42 kt (2023) +464%

Value 42 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +463.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 77.2 kg/ha (2023) +397%

Value 77.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +397.1%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 18.8 g per $ (2023) +95%

Value 18.8 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +95.3%

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 94.7 t (2020) +39%

Value 94.7 t (2020)

Change since 2000 +39.3%

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: 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) 5.37 t (2024) +58%

Value 5.37 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +57.9%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 16.1 k$ (2024) +336%

Value 16.1 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +336.2%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 410 t (2024) +20%

Value 410 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +19.8%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 563 k$ (2024) +172%

Value 563 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +172.1%

Agricultural use of ammonium nitrate 112 kt (2011) +386%

Value 112 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +385.9%

Export of ammonium nitrate 710 t (2024) -32%

Value 710 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -31.7%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 583 k$ (2024) +129%

Value 583 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +129.3%

Import of ammonium nitrate 115 kt (2024) +378%

Value 115 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +378.1%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 42.6 M$ (2024) +1410%

Value 42.6 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1409.6%

Agricultural use of ammonium sulphate 11.5 kt (2011) -24%

Value 11.5 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 -24.4%

Export of ammonium sulphate 593 t (2024) -17%

Value 593 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -17.4%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 182 k$ (2024) +10%

Value 182 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +9.7%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 18.2 kt (2024) +14%

Value 18.2 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +13.6%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 4.18 M$ (2024) +146%

Value 4.18 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +146.2%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 310 t (2024) +310%

Value 310 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +310.2%

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 140 k$ (2024) +758%

Value 140 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +757.8%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 5.19 kt (2021) —

Value 5.19 kt (2021)

Change since 2003 —

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 1.59 M$ (2021) +1585120%

Value 1.59 M$ (2021)

Change since 2003 +1585120.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 77.4 kt N (2023) +1145%

Value 77.4 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +1145.5%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 33.3 kt (2024) +89%

Value 33.3 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +89.1%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 21.5 M$ (2024) +500%

Value 21.5 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +499.6%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 33.5 kt (2024) +71%

Value 33.5 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +70.8%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 23.8 M$ (2024) +309%

Value 23.8 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +309.2%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 24.4 kt (2011) -10%

Value 24.4 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 -10.5%

Export of NPK fertilizers 19.3 kt (2024) +382%

Value 19.3 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +381.8%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 19.3 M$ (2024) +382%

Value 19.3 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +381.8%

Import of NPK fertilizers 61.1 kt (2024) +96%

Value 61.1 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +95.6%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 35.1 M$ (2024) +496%

Value 35.1 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +496.0%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 3.32 kt (2024) -66%

Value 3.32 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -66.5%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 2.3 M$ (2024) -14%

Value 2.3 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -14.2%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 24.6 kt (2024) +207%

Value 24.6 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +207.2%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 10.5 M$ (2024) +440%

Value 10.5 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +439.8%

Agriculture use of urea 80.1 kt (2011) +13%

Value 80.1 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +12.7%

Export of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 51.2 t (2006) -79%

Value 51.2 t (2006)

Change since 2002 -78.6%

Export value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 14.3 k$ (2006) -73%

Value 14.3 k$ (2006)

Change since 2002 -72.7%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 140 $ (2020) -85%

Value 140 $ (2020)

Change since 2017 -84.6%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 0.01 t (2020) -94%

Value 0.01 t (2020)

Change since 2017 -94.4%

Export of urea 2.92 kt (2024) -10%

Value 2.92 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -10.3%

Export value of urea 1.51 M$ (2024) +124%

Value 1.51 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +124.2%

Import of urea 104 kt (2024) +40%

Value 104 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +39.7%

Import value of urea 43.9 M$ (2024) +359%

Value 43.9 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +359.1%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 39 kt (2023) +849%

Value 39 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +849.4%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 2.55 kt (2023) +304%

Value 2.55 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +304.2%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 4.69 kg/ha (2023) +256%

Value 4.69 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +256.5%

N lost from croplands through leaching 17,192 kg/ha and ton (2023) +713%

Value 17,192 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +713.4%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 31.6 kg/ha (2023) +617%

Value 31.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +617.2%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 71.6 kg/ha (2023) +737%

Value 71.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +737.2%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 37.3 kt (2023) +294%

Value 37.3 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +293.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 5.46 kt (2023) +291%

Value 5.46 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +291.3%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 68.5 kg/ha (2023) +247%

Value 68.5 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +247.3%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 10 kg/ha (2023) +245%

Value 10 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +245.0%

Nitrogen use efficiency 24.3 % (2014) -18%

Value 24.3 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -18.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 1.47 Mt CO₂e (2024) +84%

Value 1.47 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +84.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from forestlands 15.5 Mt CO₂e (2017) +25%

Value 15.5 Mt CO₂e (2017)

Change since 1990 +25.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 1,660 Gt CO₂e (2023) +22%

Value 1,660 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +22.1%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 325 t CO₂e/person (2023) -25%

Value 325 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -25.4%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0031 t (2023) -49%

Value 0.0031 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -49.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0011 t (2023) -88%

Value 0.0011 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -88.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0023 t (2023) +188%

Value 0.0023 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +187.5%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.0137 t (2023) -37%

Value 0.0137 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -37.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0001 t (1991) -93%

Value 0.0001 t (1991)

Change since 1961 -92.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0 t (1992) -100%

Value 0 t (1992)

Change since 1983 -100.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0003 t (2023) -91%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -91.4%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for sugar cane 0.0027 t (2023) +170%

Value 0.0027 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +170.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.0006 t (2023) -68%

Value 0.0006 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -68.4%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0007 t (2023) -50%

Value 0.0007 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -50.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0003 t (2023) -86%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0005 t (2023) +150%

Value 0.0005 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +150.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.0031 t (2023) -37%

Value 0.0031 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -36.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0 t (1991) -100%

Value 0 t (1991)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0 t (1992) -100%

Value 0 t (1992)

Change since 1983 -100.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 3.8 t (2023) -49%

Value 3.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -49.3%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 1.4 t (2023) -88%

Value 1.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 2.8 t (2023) +180%

Value 2.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +180.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 16.8 t (2023) -37%

Value 16.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -37.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.1 t (1991) -94%

Value 0.1 t (1991)

Change since 1961 -94.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0 t (1992) -100%

Value 0 t (1992)

Change since 1983 -100.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 514 t (2023) +61%

Value 514 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +61.5%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 196 t (2023) -50%

Value 196 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -49.8%

N content from crop residues, for maize 71.1 t (2023) -88%

Value 71.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -88.2%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 148 t (2023) +196%

Value 148 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +196.1%

N content from crop residues, for rice 873 t (2023) -37%

Value 873 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -37.1%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 7.79 t (1991) -91%

Value 7.79 t (1991)

Change since 1961 -91.1%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 0.316 t (1992) -99%

Value 0.316 t (1992)

Change since 1983 -99.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 0.945 kg/ha (2023) +42%

Value 0.945 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +42.4%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 1.75 Mt CO₂e (2024) +60%

Value 1.75 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +60.5%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 21.6 % change (2024) +427%

Value 21.6 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +426.8%

Total man-made nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) emissions 66.3 t (2017) +170%

Value 66.3 t (2017)

Change since 1990 +169.7%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 1,739 Gt CO₂e (2024) +8005%

Value 1,739 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +8004.8%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.0592 % (2024) +297%

Value 0.0592 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +296.8%

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 0.083 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 8.1 kt CO₂e (2024) +72%

Value 8.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +72.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 100 t CO₂e (2024) -67%

Value 100 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -66.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 19.9 kt CO₂e (2024) +101%

Value 19.9 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +101.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 94.8 kt CO₂e (2024) -61%

Value 94.8 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -60.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 700 t CO₂e (2024) +133%

Value 700 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +133.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 74.5 kt CO₂e (2024) +2469%

Value 74.5 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +2469.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 80.4 kt CO₂e (2024) +147%

Value 80.4 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +147.4%

Population (total) 5.15 M (2025) +288%

Value 5.15 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +288.2%

GDP (current US$) 103 B$ (2025) +20176%

Value 103 B$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +20176.3%

GDP per capita (current US$) 20 k$ (2025) +5124%

Value 20 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +5123.5%

Cropland area (% of land area) 7.39 % of land area (2023) +93%

Value 7.39 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +93.4%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 28 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) 3.37 % of GDP (2025) -87%

Value 3.37 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1960 -87.2%

Cropland area (hectares) 544,348 ha (2023) +13%

Value 544,348 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +13.4%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations