North Korea

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 65.3 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 184 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.244 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 43.7 kt (2023) +0%

Value 43.7 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +0.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 17.2 kg/ha (2023) -15%

Value 17.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -14.5%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 70.9 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0.45 kg/person (2023) +22%

Value 0.45 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1966 +21.6%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2002 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 14.7 kg/ha (2023) -72%

Value 14.7 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.8%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 227 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 80.7 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 8.52 kg/ha (2023) -78%

Value 8.52 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -77.9%

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

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

N fertilizer imports 21.7 kt (2023) +81%

Value 21.7 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +80.8%

N fertilizer exports 3 t (2023) -100%

Value 3 t (2023)

Change since 1967 -99.9%

N fertilizer use per capita 0.82 kg/ person (2023) -88%

Value 0.82 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 -88.3%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 21.7 kt (2023) -74%

Value 21.7 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -74.2%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 8.52 kg/ha (2023) -78%

Value 8.52 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -77.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 22.6 kg/ha (2023) +17%

Value 22.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +17.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 23.8 kt (2023) +60%

Value 23.8 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +60.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 9.35 kg/ha (2023) +37%

Value 9.35 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +36.8%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 4.22 g per $ (2023) -89%

Value 4.22 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 -88.9%

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) 18 t (2007) -100%

Value 18 t (2007)

Change since 2002 -99.9%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 5.08 k$ (2007) -100%

Value 5.08 k$ (2007)

Change since 2002 -99.8%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 64.7 t (2016) -99%

Value 64.7 t (2016)

Change since 2002 -98.7%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 22.3 k$ (2016) -95%

Value 22.3 k$ (2016)

Change since 2002 -94.8%

Agricultural use of ammonium nitrate 45.3 kt (2018) -1%

Value 45.3 kt (2018)

Change since 2015 -0.8%

Export of ammonium nitrate 0.42 t (2022) -100%

Value 0.42 t (2022)

Change since 2012 -99.8%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 30.6 k$ (2022) -72%

Value 30.6 k$ (2022)

Change since 2012 -71.6%

Import of ammonium nitrate 23.2 kt (2011) +520%

Value 23.2 kt (2011)

Change since 2002 +520.0%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 7.01 M$ (2011) +1712%

Value 7.01 M$ (2011)

Change since 2002 +1712.3%

Agricultural use of ammonium sulphate 12.3 kt (2018) -66%

Value 12.3 kt (2018)

Change since 2015 -65.6%

Export of ammonium sulphate 2 kt (2022) -64%

Value 2 kt (2022)

Change since 2003 -63.6%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 879 k$ (2022) +104%

Value 879 k$ (2022)

Change since 2003 +104.4%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 100 t (2024) -30%

Value 100 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -30.1%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 12.6 k$ (2024) -16%

Value 12.6 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -15.6%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 161 t (2017) +0%

Value 161 t (2017)

Change since 2016 +0.0%

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 73.4 k$ (2017) +2%

Value 73.4 k$ (2017)

Change since 2016 +2.3%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 14.4 t (2012) +243%

Value 14.4 t (2012)

Change since 2011 +242.9%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 5.78 k$ (2012) +154%

Value 5.78 k$ (2012)

Change since 2011 +153.5%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 57.5 kt N (2023) +37%

Value 57.5 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +37.0%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 15.1 t (2022) +1559%

Value 15.1 t (2022)

Change since 2003 +1559.3%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 69 k$ (2022) +4865%

Value 69 k$ (2022)

Change since 2003 +4864.7%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 1.12 kt (2024) +446%

Value 1.12 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +446.2%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 380 k$ (2024) +233%

Value 380 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +233.2%

Export of NPK fertilizers 24 t (2023) -76%

Value 24 t (2023)

Change since 2009 -76.2%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 24 k$ (2023) -76%

Value 24 k$ (2023)

Change since 2009 -76.2%

Import of NPK fertilizers 388 t (2020) -98%

Value 388 t (2020)

Change since 2002 -98.2%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 149 k$ (2020) -96%

Value 149 k$ (2020)

Change since 2002 -95.7%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 129 t (2021) +2767%

Value 129 t (2021)

Change since 2002 +2767.1%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 255 k$ (2021) +3852%

Value 255 k$ (2021)

Change since 2002 +3852.2%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 812 t (2024) +525%

Value 812 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +525.4%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 160 k$ (2024) +1169%

Value 160 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1168.7%

Agriculture use of urea 567 kt (2018) +52%

Value 567 kt (2018)

Change since 2015 +51.8%

Export of urea 1.8 t (2022) -88%

Value 1.8 t (2022)

Change since 2009 -88.0%

Export value of urea 110 $ (2022) -97%

Value 110 $ (2022)

Change since 2009 -97.2%

Import of urea 18 t (2024) -100%

Value 18 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -100.0%

Import value of urea 4.97 k$ (2024) -100%

Value 4.97 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -100.0%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 13.6 kt (2023) -54%

Value 13.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -54.0%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 29.5 kt (2023) +340%

Value 29.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +340.1%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 11.6 kg/ha (2023) +276%

Value 11.6 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +276.0%

N lost from croplands through leaching 6,927 kg/ha and ton (2023) -39%

Value 6,927 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 -39.1%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 2.72 kg/ha (2023) -48%

Value 2.72 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -47.9%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 5.36 kg/ha (2023) -61%

Value 5.36 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -60.7%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 110 kt (2023) +49%

Value 110 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +48.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 33.1 kt (2023) +54%

Value 33.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +54.3%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 43.2 kg/ha (2023) +27%

Value 43.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +27.2%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 13 kg/ha (2023) +32%

Value 13 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +31.8%

Nitrogen use efficiency 41.8 % (2014) -16%

Value 41.8 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -15.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 970 kt CO₂e (2024) -49%

Value 970 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -49.1%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 1,280 Gt CO₂e (2023) -74%

Value 1,280 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 -74.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 48.5 t CO₂e/person (2023) -80%

Value 48.5 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -79.5%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0099 t (2023) -76%

Value 0.0099 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -76.4%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0702 t (2023) +63%

Value 0.0702 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.308 t (2023) +71%

Value 0.308 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +70.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0143 t (2023) -43%

Value 0.0143 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -43.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0031 t (2023) -81%

Value 0.0031 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -80.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0611 t (2023) +236%

Value 0.0611 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +235.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.332 t (2023) -4%

Value 0.332 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -4.1%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.0142 t (2023) -31%

Value 0.0142 t (2023)

Change since 1987 -31.1%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0084 t (2023) -1%

Value 0.0084 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -1.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0535 t (2023) -32%

Value 0.0535 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0157 t (2023) -39%

Value 0.0157 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -39.4%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.041 t (2023) +11%

Value 0.041 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +11.4%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.0149 t (2023) -8%

Value 0.0149 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -8.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0015 t (2023) -68%

Value 0.0015 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -68.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0022 t (2023) -77%

Value 0.0022 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -76.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0158 t (2023) +63%

Value 0.0158 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.9%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0693 t (2023) +71%

Value 0.0693 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +70.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0032 t (2023) -43%

Value 0.0032 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -42.9%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 0.0007 t (2023) -81%

Value 0.0007 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -80.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0137 t (2023) +234%

Value 0.0137 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +234.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.0747 t (2023) -4%

Value 0.0747 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -4.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0.0032 t (2023) -30%

Value 0.0032 t (2023)

Change since 1987 -30.4%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0019 t (2023) +0%

Value 0.0019 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +0.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.012 t (2023) -33%

Value 0.012 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.6%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0035 t (2023) -40%

Value 0.0035 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -39.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 12.1 t (2023) -76%

Value 12.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -76.5%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 86 t (2023) +63%

Value 86 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 377 t (2023) +71%

Value 377 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +70.5%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 17.5 t (2023) -43%

Value 17.5 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -43.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for oats 3.8 t (2023) -81%

Value 3.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -80.7%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 74.9 t (2023) +236%

Value 74.9 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +235.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 407 t (2023) -4%

Value 407 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -4.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 17.4 t (2023) -31%

Value 17.4 t (2023)

Change since 1987 -31.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 10.3 t (2023) -1%

Value 10.3 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -1.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 65.6 t (2023) -32%

Value 65.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 19.3 t (2023) -39%

Value 19.3 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -39.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 4.19 kt (2023) -9%

Value 4.19 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -9.1%

N content from crop residues, for barley 628 t (2023) -76%

Value 628 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -76.5%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 4.47 kt (2023) +63%

Value 4.47 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +63.0%

N content from crop residues, for maize 19.6 kt (2023) +71%

Value 19.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +70.6%

N content from crop residues, for millet 909 t (2023) -43%

Value 909 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -43.0%

N content from crop residues, for oats 909 t (2023) -43%

Value 909 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -43.0%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 3.89 kt (2023) +236%

Value 3.89 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +235.7%

N content from crop residues, for rice 21.1 kt (2023) -4%

Value 21.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -4.1%

N content from crop residues, for rye 903 t (2023) -31%

Value 903 t (2023)

Change since 1987 -31.0%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 534 t (2023) -1%

Value 534 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -1.4%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 3.41 kt (2023) -32%

Value 3.41 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.2%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 1 kt (2023) -39%

Value 1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -39.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 1.65 kg/ha (2023) -22%

Value 1.65 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -22.3%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 1.69 Mt CO₂e (2024) -36%

Value 1.69 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -36.3%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) -71.7 % change (2024) -3933%

Value -71.7 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 -3933.2%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 1,932 Gt CO₂e (2024) +957%

Value 1,932 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +956.9%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.0658 % (2024) -48%

Value 0.0658 % (2024)

Change since 1850 -48.3%

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 0.244 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 91 kt CO₂e (2024) +30%

Value 91 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +29.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 6 kt CO₂e (2024) +36%

Value 6 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +36.4%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 133 kt CO₂e (2024) -24%

Value 133 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -24.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 413 kt CO₂e (2024) +34%

Value 413 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +34.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 50.6 kt CO₂e (2024) +74%

Value 50.6 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +73.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 25.6 kt CO₂e (2024) +25%

Value 25.6 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +25.5%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 800 t CO₂e (2024) -99%

Value 800 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -99.4%

Population (total) 26.6 M (2025) +127%

Value 26.6 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +126.7%

Cropland area (% of land area) 2.08 % of land area (2023) +897%

Value 2.08 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +897.2%

Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year 1 policies (2018) —

Number of Public Policies Enacted (by Year) 0 policies (2018) —

Value 0 policies (2018)

Change since 1905 —

Cropland area (hectares) 2,545,300 ha (2023) +17%

Value 2,545,300 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +17.0%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations