Dem. Rep. Congo

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year -1.32 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year -7.97 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year -0.011 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 118 kt (2023) +312%

Value 118 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +312.3%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 7 kg/ha (2023) +70%

Value 7 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +69.6%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year -21.8 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0.04 kg/person (2023) +300%

Value 0.04 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1961 +300.0%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2020) —

Value 0 t (2020)

Change since 2003 —

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 2003 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 2.79 kg/ha (2023) +6509%

Value 2.79 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +6508.7%

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

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 5.1 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 1.91 kg/ha (2023) +19000%

Value 1.91 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +19000.0%

Total N fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2003 —

N fertilizer imports 32.3 kt (2023) +44751%

Value 32.3 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +44751.4%

N fertilizer exports 8 t (2023) —

Value 8 t (2023)

Change since 1990 —

N fertilizer use per capita 0.31 kg/ person (2023) —

Value 0.31 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 32.3 kt (2023) +44739%

Value 32.3 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +44738.9%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 1.79 kg/ha (2023) +17800%

Value 1.79 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +17800.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 1.91 kg/ha (2023) +18273%

Value 1.91 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +18273.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 18.4 kt (2023) +127%

Value 18.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +126.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 1.09 kg/ha (2023) -7%

Value 1.09 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -6.8%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 2.49 g per $ (2023) +12350%

Value 2.49 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +12350.0%

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 23.7 t (2020) +7796%

Value 23.7 t (2020)

Change since 2000 +7796.3%

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) 0.01 t (2015) -100%

Value 0.01 t (2015)

Change since 2010 -100.0%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 240 $ (2015) -100%

Value 240 $ (2015)

Change since 2010 -99.9%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 47.5 t (2023) -69%

Value 47.5 t (2023)

Change since 2002 -68.8%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 159 k$ (2023) -8%

Value 159 k$ (2023)

Change since 2002 -7.8%

Agricultural use of ammonium nitrate 861 t (2011) -55%

Value 861 t (2011)

Change since 2007 -55.2%

Export of ammonium nitrate 26.2 t (2022) +21%

Value 26.2 t (2022)

Change since 2010 +20.7%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 15.4 k$ (2022) -90%

Value 15.4 k$ (2022)

Change since 2010 -90.0%

Import of ammonium nitrate 70.7 kt (2023) +6611%

Value 70.7 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 +6611.5%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 97.2 M$ (2023) +34426%

Value 97.2 M$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +34426.3%

Agricultural use of ammonium sulphate 139 t (2011) -80%

Value 139 t (2011)

Change since 2004 -79.9%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 374 t (2023) +367%

Value 374 t (2023)

Change since 2002 +367.1%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 371 k$ (2023) +3273%

Value 371 k$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +3273.2%

Agricultural use of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 19 t (2011) -94%

Value 19 t (2011)

Change since 2007 -93.9%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 23.8 t (2022) +59%

Value 23.8 t (2022)

Change since 2002 +58.6%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 9.5 k$ (2022) +403%

Value 9.5 k$ (2022)

Change since 2002 +402.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 32.3 kt N (2023) +44740%

Value 32.3 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +44740.3%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 12.1 t (2017) -34%

Value 12.1 t (2017)

Change since 2009 -34.3%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 5.66 k$ (2017) -81%

Value 5.66 k$ (2017)

Change since 2009 -81.3%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 102 t (2023) -20%

Value 102 t (2023)

Change since 2002 -20.2%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 74.1 k$ (2023) +120%

Value 74.1 k$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +119.5%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 4.52 kt (2011) +184%

Value 4.52 kt (2011)

Change since 2004 +184.4%

Export of NPK fertilizers 280 t (2009) +1300%

Value 280 t (2009)

Change since 2007 +1300.0%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 280 k$ (2009) +1300%

Value 280 k$ (2009)

Change since 2007 +1300.0%

Import of NPK fertilizers 13.2 kt (2023) +457%

Value 13.2 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 +457.4%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 9 M$ (2023) +1727%

Value 9 M$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +1727.4%

Production of NPK fertilizers 0 t (2006) —

Value 0 t (2006)

Change since 2003 —

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 1.63 t (2020) +247%

Value 1.63 t (2020)

Change since 2010 +246.8%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 1.28 k$ (2020) -82%

Value 1.28 k$ (2020)

Change since 2010 -82.4%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 329 t (2023) -68%

Value 329 t (2023)

Change since 2002 -68.1%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 733 k$ (2023) +157%

Value 733 k$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +156.6%

Agriculture use of urea 4.97 kt (2011) +687%

Value 4.97 kt (2011)

Change since 2004 +687.5%

Agriculture use of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 486 t (2011) +659%

Value 486 t (2011)

Change since 2008 +659.4%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 49.9 k$ (2023) +128%

Value 49.9 k$ (2023)

Change since 2005 +127.9%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 242 t (2023) +199%

Value 242 t (2023)

Change since 2005 +199.0%

Export of urea 25 t (2017) —

Value 25 t (2017)

Change since 2010 —

Export value of urea 5.66 k$ (2017) +6975%

Value 5.66 k$ (2017)

Change since 2010 +6975.0%

Import of urea 11.5 kt (2023) +306%

Value 11.5 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 +306.5%

Import value of urea 10.9 M$ (2023) +2055%

Value 10.9 M$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +2055.2%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 15.2 kt (2023) +519%

Value 15.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +519.0%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 105 kt (2023) +370%

Value 105 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +370.0%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 6.19 kg/ha (2023) +93%

Value 6.19 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +93.3%

N lost from croplands through leaching 6,907 kg/ha and ton (2023) +324%

Value 6,907 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +323.7%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 0.409 kg/ha (2023) +74%

Value 0.409 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +74.3%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 0.9 kg/ha (2023) +155%

Value 0.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +154.6%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 274 kt (2023) +284%

Value 274 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +283.6%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 38.8 kt (2023) +305%

Value 38.8 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +304.8%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 16.2 kg/ha (2023) +58%

Value 16.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +57.8%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 2.3 kg/ha (2023) +67%

Value 2.3 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.5%

Nitrogen use efficiency 122 % (2014) -16%

Value 122 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -15.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 2.25 Mt CO₂e (2024) +153%

Value 2.25 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +152.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 12,160 Gt CO₂e (2023) +7%

Value 12,160 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +6.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 115 t CO₂e/person (2023) -63%

Value 115 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -62.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0003 t (2023) +200%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +200.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0814 t (2023) +324%

Value 0.0814 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +324.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.475 t (2023) +499%

Value 0.475 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +499.5%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.008 t (2023) +116%

Value 0.008 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +116.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0016 t (1970) -60%

Value 0.0016 t (1970)

Change since 1961 -60.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0095 t (2023) +631%

Value 0.0095 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +630.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.793 t (2023) +2165%

Value 0.793 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2164.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0031 t (2023) -67%

Value 0.0031 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -67.4%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0131 t (2023) +2520%

Value 0.0131 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2520.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0021 t (2023) +250%

Value 0.0021 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +250.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.212 t (2023) +461%

Value 0.212 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +460.8%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for sugar cane 0.0027 t (2023) +575%

Value 0.0027 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +575.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.0734 t (2023) +2059%

Value 0.0734 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2058.8%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0002 t (2023) +100%

Value 0.0002 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +100.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0001 t (2023) —

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0183 t (2023) +326%

Value 0.0183 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +325.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.107 t (2023) +500%

Value 0.107 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +500.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0018 t (2023) +125%

Value 0.0018 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +125.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0004 t (1970) -56%

Value 0.0004 t (1970)

Change since 1961 -55.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0021 t (2023) +600%

Value 0.0021 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +600.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.178 t (2023) +2158%

Value 0.178 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2158.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0007 t (2023) -67%

Value 0.0007 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -66.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0029 t (2023) +2800%

Value 0.0029 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2800.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0005 t (2023) +400%

Value 0.0005 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +400.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.4 t (2023) +100%

Value 0.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +100.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 99.7 t (2023) +324%

Value 99.7 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +324.3%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 582 t (2023) +500%

Value 582 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +499.6%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 9.8 t (2023) +113%

Value 9.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +113.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 1.9 t (1970) -61%

Value 1.9 t (1970)

Change since 1961 -61.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 11.6 t (2023) +625%

Value 11.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +625.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 971 t (2023) +2164%

Value 971 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2163.6%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 3.8 t (2023) -68%

Value 3.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -67.5%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 16 t (2023) +2186%

Value 16 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2185.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 2.6 t (2023) +271%

Value 2.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +271.4%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 7.52 kt (2023) +55%

Value 7.52 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +55.5%

N content from crop residues, for barley 18.5 t (2023) +118%

Value 18.5 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +118.2%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 5.18 kt (2023) +324%

Value 5.18 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +323.6%

N content from crop residues, for maize 30.2 kt (2023) +499%

Value 30.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +499.3%

N content from crop residues, for millet 510 t (2023) +114%

Value 510 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +114.3%

N content from crop residues, for oats 510 t (2023) +114%

Value 510 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +114.3%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 603 t (2023) +643%

Value 603 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +643.5%

N content from crop residues, for rice 50.4 kt (2023) +2163%

Value 50.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +2163.0%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 195 t (2023) -68%

Value 195 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -67.7%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 832 t (2023) +2354%

Value 832 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2353.8%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 136 t (2023) +274%

Value 136 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +273.5%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 0.445 kg/ha (2023) -36%

Value 0.445 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -36.1%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 7.48 Mt CO₂e (2024) +433%

Value 7.48 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +433.4%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 3.11 % change (2024) +136%

Value 3.11 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +136.2%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 17,617 Gt CO₂e (2024) +2872%

Value 17,617 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +2871.9%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.6 % (2024) +46%

Value 0.6 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +45.5%

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 -0.011 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 900 kt CO₂e (2024) +385%

Value 900 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +385.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 174 kt CO₂e (2024) +3535%

Value 174 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +3535.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 22.8 kt CO₂e (2024) -58%

Value 22.8 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -58.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 3.59 Mt CO₂e (2024) +2164%

Value 3.59 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +2163.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 4.4 kt CO₂e (2024) +4300%

Value 4.4 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +4300.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 55.4 kt CO₂e (2024) +1529%

Value 55.4 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +1529.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 489 kt CO₂e (2024) +361%

Value 489 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +361.5%

Population (total) 113 M (2025) +639%

Value 113 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +639.2%

GDP (current US$) 91 B$ (2025) +2610%

Value 91 B$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +2609.7%

GDP per capita (current US$) 807 $ (2025) +267%

Value 807 $ (2025)

Change since 1960 +266.6%

Cropland area (% of land area) 0.881 % of land area (2023) +263%

Value 0.881 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +263.2%

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) 8.93 % of GDP (2025) -84%

Value 8.93 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1994 -84.2%

Cropland area (hectares) 16,895,664 ha (2023) +143%

Value 16,895,664 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +143.1%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations