Namibia

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 26.3 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 5.11 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.007 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 1.77 kt (2023) +461%

Value 1.77 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +460.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 2.18 kg/ha (2023) +343%

Value 2.18 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +343.4%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year -23.1 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0.12 kg/person (2023) +100%

Value 0.12 kg/person (2023)

Change since 2002 +100.0%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2020) —

Value 0 t (2020)

Change since 2015 —

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 2015 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 27.1 kg/ha (2023) +21985%

Value 27.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1998 +21985.0%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 6 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 31 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 25.6 kg/ha (2023) +21192%

Value 25.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1998 +21191.7%

Total N fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2015 —

N fertilizer imports 20.5 kt (2023) +1935%

Value 20.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1990 +1935.4%

N fertilizer exports 928 t (2023) +2551%

Value 928 t (2023)

Change since 1990 +2551.4%

N fertilizer use per capita 7 kg/ person (2023) —

Value 7 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 20.8 kt (2023) +20650%

Value 20.8 kt (2023)

Change since 1998 +20650.0%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 25.6 kg/ha (2023) —

Value 25.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 25.6 kg/ha (2023) +16302%

Value 25.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +16301.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 6.53 kt (2023) +71%

Value 6.53 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +71.5%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 8.05 kg/ha (2023) +36%

Value 8.05 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +35.6%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 35.8 g per $ (2023) —

Value 35.8 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 2.73 t (2020) +2628%

Value 2.73 t (2020)

Change since 2000 +2627.7%

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) 1.04 t (2022) +10300%

Value 1.04 t (2022)

Change since 2002 +10300.0%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 5.26 k$ (2022) +52500%

Value 5.26 k$ (2022)

Change since 2002 +52500.0%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 4.37 kt (2024) +92%

Value 4.37 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +91.6%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 4.03 M$ (2024) +879%

Value 4.03 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +879.1%

Agricultural use of ammonium nitrate 11 kt (2011) +1150%

Value 11 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +1150.3%

Export of ammonium nitrate 957 t (2024) +29429%

Value 957 t (2024)

Change since 2004 +29429.3%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 9.94 M$ (2024) +1440774%

Value 9.94 M$ (2024)

Change since 2004 +1440773.9%

Import of ammonium nitrate 39.6 kt (2024) +4397%

Value 39.6 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +4397.3%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 38.6 M$ (2024) +49478%

Value 38.6 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +49478.1%

Agricultural use of ammonium sulphate 338 t (2011) +31%

Value 338 t (2011)

Change since 2002 +31.0%

Export of ammonium sulphate 13.5 kt (2024) +16851150%

Value 13.5 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +16851150.0%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 10.6 M$ (2024) +192012%

Value 10.6 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +192012.5%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 26.2 kt (2024) +10041%

Value 26.2 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +10041.2%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 8.05 M$ (2024) +28618%

Value 8.05 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +28617.8%

Agricultural use of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 27 t (2011) -27%

Value 27 t (2011)

Change since 2004 -27.0%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 245 t (2024) +817267%

Value 245 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +817266.7%

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 816 k$ (2024) +61719%

Value 816 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +61718.9%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 30.8 kt (2024) —

Value 30.8 kt (2024)

Change since 2003 —

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 15.2 M$ (2024) +18991150%

Value 15.2 M$ (2024)

Change since 2003 +18991150.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 20.8 kt N (2023) +20650%

Value 20.8 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +20650.0%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 296 t (2024) +299%

Value 296 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +299.1%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 71.9 k$ (2024) +104%

Value 71.9 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +103.8%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 14.9 kt (2024) +1210%

Value 14.9 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +1209.9%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 19.3 M$ (2024) +3561%

Value 19.3 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +3560.9%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 1.04 kt (2011) +148%

Value 1.04 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +148.3%

Export of NPK fertilizers 686 t (2024) +2185%

Value 686 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +2185.2%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 686 k$ (2024) +2185%

Value 686 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +2185.2%

Import of NPK fertilizers 16.7 kt (2024) +5449%

Value 16.7 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +5448.8%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 7.93 M$ (2024) +7945%

Value 7.93 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +7944.5%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 125 t (2024) +195%

Value 125 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +195.2%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 172 k$ (2024) +412%

Value 172 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +412.0%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 3.1 kt (2024) +12%

Value 3.1 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +12.1%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 2.45 M$ (2024) +345%

Value 2.45 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +345.4%

Agriculture use of urea 587 t (2011) -89%

Value 587 t (2011)

Change since 2002 -88.8%

Agriculture use of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 2.04 kt (2011) +1168%

Value 2.04 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +1167.7%

Export of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 5 t (2023) +24900%

Value 5 t (2023)

Change since 2002 +24900.0%

Export value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 4.61 k$ (2023) +15267%

Value 4.61 k$ (2023)

Change since 2002 +15266.7%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 9.18 k$ (2024) -79%

Value 9.18 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -79.1%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 18.2 t (2024) -89%

Value 18.2 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -88.7%

Export of urea 2.33 kt (2024) +113176%

Value 2.33 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +113176.2%

Export value of urea 18.6 M$ (2024) +677523%

Value 18.6 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +677522.9%

Import of urea 79.7 kt (2024) +1419%

Value 79.7 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +1419.4%

Import value of urea 36.8 M$ (2024) +5317%

Value 36.8 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +5316.6%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 8.18 kt (2023) +616%

Value 8.18 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +616.2%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 2.34 kt (2023) +130%

Value 2.34 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +130.1%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 2.89 kg/ha (2023) +82%

Value 2.89 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +81.9%

N lost from croplands through leaching 3,382 kg/ha and ton (2023) +344%

Value 3,382 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +343.9%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 4.16 kg/ha (2023) +251%

Value 4.16 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +250.9%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 10.1 kg/ha (2023) +466%

Value 10.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +466.3%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 5.02 kt (2023) +279%

Value 5.02 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +279.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 2.09 kt (2023) +72%

Value 2.09 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +71.6%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 6.18 kg/ha (2023) +200%

Value 6.18 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +199.7%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 2.58 kg/ha (2023) +36%

Value 2.58 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +35.7%

Nitrogen use efficiency 22 % (2014) +182%

Value 22 % (2014)

Change since 1961 +182.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 2.22 Mt CO₂e (2024) +46%

Value 2.22 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +46.1%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 2,980 Gt CO₂e (2023) +1%

Value 2,980 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +1.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 1,006 t CO₂e/person (2023) -53%

Value 1,006 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -53.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2000 —

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0162 t (2023) +363%

Value 0.0162 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +362.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0077 t (2023) +157%

Value 0.0077 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +156.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0006 t (2023) —

Value 0.0006 t (2023)

Change since 2000 —

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0045 t (2023) +67%

Value 0.0045 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0048 t (2023) +4700%

Value 0.0048 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +4700.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0041 t (2023) +242%

Value 0.0041 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +241.7%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0001 t (2023) —

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

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

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2000 —

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0037 t (2023) +362%

Value 0.0037 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +362.5%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0017 t (2023) +143%

Value 0.0017 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +142.9%

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

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 2000 —

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.001 t (2023) +67%

Value 0.001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0011 t (2023) —

Value 0.0011 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2000 —

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 19.9 t (2023) +363%

Value 19.9 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +362.8%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 9.5 t (2023) +164%

Value 9.5 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +163.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 0.8 t (2023) +700%

Value 0.8 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +700.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 5.6 t (2023) +70%

Value 5.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +69.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 5.9 t (2023) +2850%

Value 5.9 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +2850.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 152 t (2023) +331%

Value 152 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +331.3%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 1.23 t (2023) +1088%

Value 1.23 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +1087.9%

N content from crop residues, for maize 1.03 kt (2023) +368%

Value 1.03 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +367.7%

N content from crop residues, for millet 492 t (2023) +161%

Value 492 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +161.3%

N content from crop residues, for oats 492 t (2023) +161%

Value 492 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +161.3%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 39.6 t (2023) +1363%

Value 39.6 t (2023)

Change since 2000 +1363.4%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 288 t (2023) +66%

Value 288 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +65.8%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 306 t (2023) +3205%

Value 306 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +3205.2%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 0.187 kg/ha (2023) +241%

Value 0.187 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +241.0%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 2.41 Mt CO₂e (2024) +56%

Value 2.41 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +56.1%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 65.7 % change (2024) +4700%

Value 65.7 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +4700.0%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 2.65 Gt CO₂e (2022) -12%

Value 2.65 Gt CO₂e (2022)

Change since 1990 -12.4%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 3,344 Gt CO₂e (2024) +1886%

Value 3,344 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +1885.6%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.114 % (2024) -3%

Value 0.114 % (2024)

Change since 1850 -2.8%

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 0.007 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 8.4 kt CO₂e (2024) +27%

Value 8.4 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +27.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 13.2 kt CO₂e (2024) +13100%

Value 13.2 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +13100.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 2.1 kt CO₂e (2024) +162%

Value 2.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +162.5%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 113 kt CO₂e (2024) +1010%

Value 113 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +1009.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 100 t CO₂e (2024) —

Value 100 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 23 kt CO₂e (2024) +3186%

Value 23 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +3185.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 33.1 kt CO₂e (2024) +309%

Value 33.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +308.6%

Population (total) 3.09 M (2025) +423%

Value 3.09 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +422.9%

GDP (current US$) 15.1 B$ (2025) +523%

Value 15.1 B$ (2025)

Change since 1980 +522.6%

GDP per capita (current US$) 4.88 k$ (2025) +98%

Value 4.88 k$ (2025)

Change since 1980 +97.6%

Cropland area (% of land area) 0.0146 % of land area (2023) +1100%

Value 0.0146 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +1100.0%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 5 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) 6.99 % of GDP (2025) -13%

Value 6.99 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1980 -12.9%

Cropland area (hectares) 812,000 ha (2023) +26%

Value 812,000 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +26.5%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations