Lesotho

Indicators

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 432 t (2023) -61%

Value 432 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -61.4%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 1.2 kg/ha (2023) -61%

Value 1.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -61.4%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 6.6 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0.19 kg/person (2023) +6%

Value 0.19 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1985 +5.6%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2015 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 8.7 kg/ha (2023) +935%

Value 8.7 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +934.5%

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 5.97 kg/ha (2023) +19800%

Value 5.97 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +19800.0%

Total N fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2015 —

N fertilizer imports 2.38 kt (2023) +23710%

Value 2.38 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +23710.0%

N fertilizer exports 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1990 —

N fertilizer use per capita 0.93 kg/ person (2023) +9200%

Value 0.93 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 +9200.0%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 2.15 kt (2023) +21420%

Value 2.15 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +21420.0%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 3.69 kg/ha (2023) +12200%

Value 3.69 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +12200.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 5.97 kg/ha (2023) +21436%

Value 5.97 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +21435.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 2.01 kt (2023) +11%

Value 2.01 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +11.4%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 5.56 kg/ha (2023) +12%

Value 5.56 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +11.5%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 9.07 g per $ (2023) +12857%

Value 9.07 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +12857.1%

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) single year 0.43 t (2015) —

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) single year 5.17 k$ (2015) —

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 2.72 t (2024) —

Value 2.72 t (2024)

Change since 2002 —

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 2.84 k$ (2024) +4633%

Value 2.84 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +4633.3%

Import of ammonium nitrate 4.48 kt (2024) +4%

Value 4.48 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +3.8%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 1.88 M$ (2024) +138%

Value 1.88 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +138.3%

Export of ammonium sulphate 0.53 t (2011) -97%

Value 0.53 t (2011)

Change since 2007 -97.2%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 200 $ (2011) -92%

Value 200 $ (2011)

Change since 2007 -91.7%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 0.01 t (2022) —

Value 0.01 t (2022)

Change since 2012 —

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 70 $ (2022) -91%

Value 70 $ (2022)

Change since 2004 -90.7%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 1 t (2024) -99%

Value 1 t (2024)

Change since 2013 -99.3%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 130 $ (2024) -28%

Value 130 $ (2024)

Change since 2010 -27.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 2.15 kt N (2023) +21420%

Value 2.15 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +21420.0%

Agricultural use of fertilizers n.e.c. 1 t (2020) -95%

Value 1 t (2020)

Change since 2016 -94.7%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 0 t (2024) —

Value 0 t (2024)

Change since 2003 —

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 0 $ (2024) -100%

Value 0 $ (2024)

Change since 2003 -100.0%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 4.12 kt (2024) +1954%

Value 4.12 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +1953.9%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 2.41 M$ (2024) +1785%

Value 2.41 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1785.5%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 6 t (2020) -100%

Value 6 t (2020)

Change since 2017 -99.7%

Export of NPK fertilizers 2 t (2017) -93%

Value 2 t (2017)

Change since 2009 -93.3%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 2 k$ (2017) -93%

Value 2 k$ (2017)

Change since 2009 -93.3%

Import of NPK fertilizers 2.7 kt (2024) +9%

Value 2.7 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +9.4%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 1.49 M$ (2024) +92%

Value 1.49 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +91.8%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 0.15 t (2024) —

Value 0.15 t (2024)

Change since 2003 —

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 350 $ (2024) +1650%

Value 350 $ (2024)

Change since 2003 +1650.0%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 667 t (2024) -91%

Value 667 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -90.7%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 457 k$ (2024) -67%

Value 457 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -67.3%

Agriculture use of urea 2 t (2020) —

Value 2 t (2020)

Change since 2015 —

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 3.69 k$ (2024) -99%

Value 3.69 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -99.1%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 3 t (2024) —

Value 3 t (2024)

Change since 2002 —

Import of urea 72.7 t (2024) -44%

Value 72.7 t (2024)

Change since 2003 -44.3%

Import value of urea 42.9 k$ (2024) +92%

Value 42.9 k$ (2024)

Change since 2003 +92.2%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 1.25 kt (2023) +130%

Value 1.25 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +129.7%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 2.14 kt (2023) +103%

Value 2.14 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +102.6%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 5.94 kg/ha (2023) +103%

Value 5.94 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +102.7%

N lost from croplands through leaching 616 kg/ha and ton (2023) +71%

Value 616 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +70.7%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 1.71 kg/ha (2023) +71%

Value 1.71 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +70.9%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 3.46 kg/ha (2023) +130%

Value 3.46 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +129.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 2.65 kt (2023) -34%

Value 2.65 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -34.1%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 1.79 kt (2023) +93%

Value 1.79 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +93.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 7.35 kg/ha (2023) -34%

Value 7.35 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -34.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 4.97 kg/ha (2023) +93%

Value 4.97 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +93.2%

Nitrogen use efficiency 43.5 % (2014) -55%

Value 43.5 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -54.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 299 kt CO₂e (2024) -25%

Value 299 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -24.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 420 Gt CO₂e (2023) -16%

Value 420 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 -16.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 182 t CO₂e/person (2023) -34%

Value 182 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -34.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0001 t (2023) -89%

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -88.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0027 t (2023) +286%

Value 0.0027 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +285.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0248 t (2023) +13%

Value 0.0248 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +13.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0001 t (2023) -50%

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -50.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0045 t (2023) +4400%

Value 0.0045 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +4400.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0037 t (2023) -78%

Value 0.0037 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -77.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0018 t (2023) -88%

Value 0.0018 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.7%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0104 t (2023) +9%

Value 0.0104 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +9.5%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0003 t (2023) -84%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -84.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0 t (2023) -100%

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0006 t (2023) +200%

Value 0.0006 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +200.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0056 t (2023) +14%

Value 0.0056 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +14.3%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.001 t (2023) —

Value 0.001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0008 t (2023) -78%

Value 0.0008 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -78.4%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0004 t (2023) -88%

Value 0.0004 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.1 t (2023) -91%

Value 0.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -90.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 3.4 t (2023) +278%

Value 3.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +277.8%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 30.4 t (2023) +13%

Value 30.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +13.4%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.1 t (2023) -50%

Value 0.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -50.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 5.6 t (2023) +5500%

Value 5.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +5500.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 4.6 t (2023) -77%

Value 4.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -77.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 2.2 t (2023) -88%

Value 2.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 159 t (2023) -32%

Value 159 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.2%

N content from crop residues, for barley 7.77 t (2023) -86%

Value 7.77 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -86.1%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 174 t (2023) +293%

Value 174 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +293.1%

N content from crop residues, for maize 1.58 kt (2023) +13%

Value 1.58 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +13.4%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 289 t (2023) +3878%

Value 289 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +3878.4%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 237 t (2023) -77%

Value 237 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -77.4%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 116 t (2023) -88%

Value 116 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 0.442 kg/ha (2023) -32%

Value 0.442 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.1%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 455 kt CO₂e (2024) -9%

Value 455 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -9.1%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) -11.8 % change (2024) -2535%

Value -11.8 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 -2534.8%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 492 Gt CO₂e (2024) +1449%

Value 492 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +1449.3%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.0167 % (2024) -24%

Value 0.0167 % (2024)

Change since 1850 -24.1%

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).

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 72.1 kt CO₂e (2024) +2%

Value 72.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +2.1%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 4 kt CO₂e (2024) +1900%

Value 4 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +1900.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 500 t CO₂e (2024) +0%

Value 500 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +0.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 52 kt CO₂e (2024) +150%

Value 52 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +150.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 400 t CO₂e (2024) —

Value 400 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 8.6 kt CO₂e (2024) +8500%

Value 8.6 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +8500.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 18.5 kt CO₂e (2024) +75%

Value 18.5 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +74.5%

Population (total) 2.36 M (2025) +221%

Value 2.36 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +220.9%

GDP (current US$) 2.57 B$ (2025) +7342%

Value 2.57 B$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +7342.4%

GDP per capita (current US$) 1.09 k$ (2025) +2219%

Value 1.09 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +2219.3%

Cropland area (% of land area) 0.132 % of land area (2023) +33%

Value 0.132 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +33.3%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 4 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) 6.49 % of GDP (2025) -93%

Value 6.49 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1960 -92.6%

Cropland area (hectares) 360,748 ha (2023) -0%

Value 360,748 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -0.1%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations