Saudi Arabia

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 174 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 212 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.283 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 968 t (2023) +405%

Value 968 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +404.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 0.266 kg/ha (2023) +62%

Value 0.266 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.3%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 15.3 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 2.42 kg/person (2023) +1412%

Value 2.42 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1972 +1412.5%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 2.76 kt (2020) +116%

Value 2.76 kt (2020)

Change since 2000 +116.0%

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 2002 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 122 kg/ha (2023) +3389%

Value 122 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3389.0%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 258 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 212 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 71 kg/ha (2023) +4053%

Value 71 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +4053.2%

Total N fertilizer production 3.54 Mt (2023) +15291%

Value 3.54 Mt (2023)

Change since 1970 +15291.2%

N fertilizer imports 50.2 kt (2023) +2408%

Value 50.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +2407.8%

N fertilizer exports 2.23 Mt (2023) +14780%

Value 2.23 Mt (2023)

Change since 1970 +14780.3%

N fertilizer use per capita 7.77 kg/ person (2023) +884%

Value 7.77 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 +883.5%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 258 kt (2023) +12816%

Value 258 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +12816.5%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 62.5 kg/ha (2023) +3554%

Value 62.5 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3554.4%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 54.1 kg/ha (2023) +3063%

Value 54.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3062.9%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 25.6 kt (2023) +5757%

Value 25.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +5757.3%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 7.04 kg/ha (2023) +1784%

Value 7.04 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +1784.1%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 28.2 g per $ (2023) +613%

Value 28.2 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 +613.4%

Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen 178 t (2020) -22%

Value 178 t (2020)

Change since 2000 -21.8%

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

Agricultural use of ammonia (anhydrous) 0 t (2015) —

Value 0 t (2015)

Change since 2012 —

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) 2.19 Mt (2024) +578%

Value 2.19 Mt (2024)

Change since 2002 +578.3%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 829 M$ (2024) +1715%

Value 829 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1714.7%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 647 t (2024) +5290%

Value 647 t (2024)

Change since 2005 +5290.1%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 822 k$ (2024) +171%

Value 822 k$ (2024)

Change since 2005 +171.0%

Production of ammonia (anhydrous) 4.66 Mt (2017) +168%

Value 4.66 Mt (2017)

Change since 2002 +167.7%

Export of ammonium nitrate 74.6 t (2024) -100%

Value 74.6 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -100.0%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 23.9 k$ (2024) -100%

Value 23.9 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -100.0%

Import of ammonium nitrate 89 kt (2024) +669%

Value 89 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +668.6%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 47 M$ (2024) +1594%

Value 47 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +1593.5%

Export of ammonium sulphate 457 t (2022) +1803%

Value 457 t (2022)

Change since 2002 +1802.6%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 209 k$ (2022) +295%

Value 209 k$ (2022)

Change since 2003 +295.4%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 12.5 kt (2024) +4058%

Value 12.5 kt (2024)

Change since 2003 +4058.4%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 3.32 M$ (2024) +8415%

Value 3.32 M$ (2024)

Change since 2003 +8415.4%

Agricultural use of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 3.22 kt (2023) +15%

Value 3.22 kt (2023)

Change since 2020 +15.2%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 25.8 t (2022) +43%

Value 25.8 t (2022)

Change since 2003 +43.3%

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 7.69 k$ (2022) -72%

Value 7.69 k$ (2022)

Change since 2003 -71.7%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 16 t (2022) -94%

Value 16 t (2022)

Change since 2002 -93.7%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 12.7 k$ (2022) -94%

Value 12.7 k$ (2022)

Change since 2002 -93.7%

Production of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 2.64 kt (2021) -24%

Value 2.64 kt (2021)

Change since 2020 -24.5%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 197 kt N (2023) +9733%

Value 197 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +9733.2%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 1.93 kt (2024) -99%

Value 1.93 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -98.7%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 1.34 M$ (2024) -92%

Value 1.34 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -92.1%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 28.1 kt (2024) +44%

Value 28.1 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +44.0%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 39.9 M$ (2024) +330%

Value 39.9 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +329.7%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 524 kt (2023) +4166%

Value 524 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 +4166.2%

Export of NPK fertilizers 68.7 kt (2024) +7650%

Value 68.7 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +7649.9%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 68.7 M$ (2024) +7650%

Value 68.7 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +7649.9%

Import of NPK fertilizers 3.39 kt (2024) -75%

Value 3.39 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -75.2%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 4.77 M$ (2024) +89%

Value 4.77 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +88.9%

Production of NPK fertilizers 10.8 Mt (2023) +179897%

Value 10.8 Mt (2023)

Change since 2004 +179896.9%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 5.57 kt (2024) -93%

Value 5.57 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -92.6%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 7.1 M$ (2024) -4%

Value 7.1 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -3.9%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 6.37 kt (2024) +190%

Value 6.37 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +189.7%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 7.09 M$ (2024) +547%

Value 7.09 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +547.0%

Agriculture use of urea 286 kt (2023) -32%

Value 286 kt (2023)

Change since 2002 -31.8%

Export of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 1.81 kt (2022) +1786%

Value 1.81 kt (2022)

Change since 2003 +1786.5%

Export value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 1.54 M$ (2022) +313%

Value 1.54 M$ (2022)

Change since 2003 +312.8%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 615 k$ (2022) +374%

Value 615 k$ (2022)

Change since 2006 +373.6%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 360 t (2022) +210%

Value 360 t (2022)

Change since 2006 +210.3%

Export of urea 4.44 Mt (2024) +164%

Value 4.44 Mt (2024)

Change since 2002 +164.3%

Export value of urea 1.62 B$ (2024) +687%

Value 1.62 B$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +687.0%

Import of urea 2.82 kt (2024) +62%

Value 2.82 kt (2024)

Change since 2003 +62.3%

Import value of urea 3.82 M$ (2024) +581%

Value 3.82 M$ (2024)

Change since 2003 +580.7%

Production of urea 5.7 Mt (2023) +110%

Value 5.7 Mt (2023)

Change since 2002 +110.4%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 85.2 kt (2023) +11550%

Value 85.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +11549.8%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 11.6 kt (2023) +1089%

Value 11.6 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1089.3%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 3.18 kg/ha (2023) +283%

Value 3.18 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +282.5%

N lost from croplands through leaching 30,957 kg/ha and ton (2023) +10669%

Value 30,957 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +10668.5%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 8.51 kg/ha (2023) +3364%

Value 8.51 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3363.8%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 23.4 kg/ha (2023) +3647%

Value 23.4 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +3647.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 39.7 kt (2023) +416%

Value 39.7 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +416.5%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 39.2 kt (2023) +570%

Value 39.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +570.4%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 10.9 kg/ha (2023) +66%

Value 10.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +66.1%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 10.8 kg/ha (2023) +116%

Value 10.8 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +115.6%

Nitrogen use efficiency 5.4 % (2014) -95%

Value 5.4 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -95.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 3.49 Mt CO₂e (2024) +961%

Value 3.49 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +961.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 4,980 Gt CO₂e (2023) +65%

Value 4,980 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +64.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 150 t CO₂e/person (2023) -47%

Value 150 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -47.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0004 t (2023) -82%

Value 0.0004 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -81.8%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0078 t (2023) +1460%

Value 0.0078 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1460.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.002 t (2023) -85%

Value 0.002 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0168 t (2023) —

Value 0.0168 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.0002 t (2023) -67%

Value 0.0002 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -66.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0227 t (2023) -32%

Value 0.0227 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.178 t (2023) +533%

Value 0.178 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +532.6%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0008 t (2023) +167%

Value 0.0008 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +166.7%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0039 t (2023) +63%

Value 0.0039 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.5%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0001 t (2023) -80%

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -80.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0018 t (2023) +1700%

Value 0.0018 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1700.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0004 t (2023) -87%

Value 0.0004 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -87.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0038 t (2023) —

Value 0.0038 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

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

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0051 t (2023) -32%

Value 0.0051 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0401 t (2023) +537%

Value 0.0401 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +536.5%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.4 t (2023) -85%

Value 0.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 9.6 t (2023) +1500%

Value 9.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1500.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 2.4 t (2023) -86%

Value 2.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.5%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 20.6 t (2023) —

Value 20.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.2 t (2023) -75%

Value 0.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 27.9 t (2023) -32%

Value 27.9 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 219 t (2023) +534%

Value 219 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +533.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 1.79 kt (2023) +406%

Value 1.79 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +406.1%

N content from crop residues, for barley 22.9 t (2023) -84%

Value 22.9 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -83.9%

N content from crop residues, for maize 499 t (2023) +1468%

Value 499 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +1467.7%

N content from crop residues, for millet 126 t (2023) -85%

Value 126 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.4%

N content from crop residues, for oats 126 t (2023) -85%

Value 126 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.4%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 1.07 kt (2023) +50919%

Value 1.07 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +50918.6%

N content from crop residues, for rice 12.7 t (2023) -69%

Value 12.7 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -68.8%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 1.45 kt (2023) -32%

Value 1.45 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -32.0%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 11.4 kt (2023) +533%

Value 11.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +532.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 0.492 kg/ha (2023) +63%

Value 0.492 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +62.8%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 10.3 Mt CO₂e (2024) +1049%

Value 10.3 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +1048.7%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 102 % change (2024) +2670%

Value 102 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +2669.6%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 7.68 Gt CO₂e (2021) +1%

Value 7.68 Gt CO₂e (2021)

Change since 2019 +1.5%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 13,056 Gt CO₂e (2024) +30550%

Value 13,056 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +30550.3%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.445 % (2024) +1401%

Value 0.445 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +1400.7%

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 0.283 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 4 kt CO₂e (2024) +300%

Value 4 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +300.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 72.7 kt CO₂e (2024) -45%

Value 72.7 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -45.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 128 kt CO₂e (2024) +3110%

Value 128 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +3110.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 3.98 Mt CO₂e (2024) +1055%

Value 3.98 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +1054.5%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 303 kt CO₂e (2024) +8322%

Value 303 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +8322.2%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 1.67 Mt CO₂e (2024) +5103%

Value 1.67 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +5102.8%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 601 kt CO₂e (2024) +1231%

Value 601 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +1230.5%

Population (total) 37 M (2025) +1418%

Value 37 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +1418.2%

GDP (current US$) 1.28 T$ (2025) +72946%

Value 1.28 T$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +72946.5%

GDP per capita (current US$) 34.5 k$ (2025) +4711%

Value 34.5 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +4711.5%

Cropland area (% of land area) 0.0963 % of land area (2023) +590%

Value 0.0963 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +590.0%

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) 2.59 % of GDP (2025) -48%

Value 2.59 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1968 -47.5%

Cropland area (hectares) 3,637,417 ha (2023) +211%

Value 3,637,417 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +210.9%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations