Sierra Leone

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 20 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 10.2 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.014 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 37.1 kt (2023) +228%

Value 37.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +228.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 21.2 kg/ha (2023) -23%

Value 21.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -23.1%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year 0 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 0.1 kg/person (2023) —

Value 0.1 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1966 —

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2015 —

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 2.67 kg/ha (2023) +492%

Value 2.67 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +491.5%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 14.9 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 29.2 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 1.42 kg/ha (2023) +2740%

Value 1.42 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1966 +2740.0%

Total N fertilizer production 0 t (2023) —

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 2015 —

N fertilizer imports 2.48 kt (2022) +2329%

Value 2.48 kt (2022)

Change since 1966 +2329.4%

N fertilizer exports 0 t (2022) —

Value 0 t (2022)

Change since 1990 —

N fertilizer use per capita 0.3 kg/ person (2022) —

Value 0.3 kg/ person (2022)

Change since 1961 —

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 2.48 kt (2022) +12290%

Value 2.48 kt (2022)

Change since 1966 +12290.0%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 1.42 kg/ha (2022) —

Value 1.42 kg/ha (2022)

Change since 1961 —

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 1.42 kg/ha (2023) +2803%

Value 1.42 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +2803.3%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 7.2 kt (2023) +903%

Value 7.2 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +903.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 4.12 kg/ha (2023) +135%

Value 4.12 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +135.2%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 1.42 g per $ (2022) —

Value 1.42 g per $ (2022)

Change since 1961 —

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) single year 0 t (2014) —

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) single year 0 $ (2014) —

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 2.27 t (2015) -29%

Value 2.27 t (2015)

Change since 2006 -28.6%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 9.66 k$ (2015) -72%

Value 9.66 k$ (2015)

Change since 2006 -72.5%

Import of ammonium nitrate 15.8 t (2018) -96%

Value 15.8 t (2018)

Change since 2003 -96.0%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 71.8 k$ (2018) -23%

Value 71.8 k$ (2018)

Change since 2003 -22.9%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 0.12 t (2017) +1100%

Value 0.12 t (2017)

Change since 2003 +1100.0%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 1.6 k$ (2017) +967%

Value 1.6 k$ (2017)

Change since 2003 +966.7%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 3 t (2012) -91%

Value 3 t (2012)

Change since 2011 -90.9%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 1.81 k$ (2012) -93%

Value 1.81 k$ (2012)

Change since 2011 -92.6%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 2.48 kt N (2023) +12290%

Value 2.48 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 +12290.0%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 11.9 t (2013) -11%

Value 11.9 t (2013)

Change since 2008 -10.8%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 178 k$ (2013) +2688%

Value 178 k$ (2013)

Change since 2008 +2688.0%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 685 t (2018) +37748%

Value 685 t (2018)

Change since 2002 +37747.5%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 366 k$ (2018) +4970%

Value 366 k$ (2018)

Change since 2002 +4970.5%

Export of NPK fertilizers 0.03 t (2011) -100%

Value 0.03 t (2011)

Change since 2008 -99.8%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 30 $ (2011) -100%

Value 30 $ (2011)

Change since 2008 -99.8%

Import of NPK fertilizers 5.82 kt (2018) +570%

Value 5.82 kt (2018)

Change since 2003 +570.4%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 2.89 M$ (2018) +1061%

Value 2.89 M$ (2018)

Change since 2003 +1061.0%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 0.24 t (2018) -100%

Value 0.24 t (2018)

Change since 2013 -99.9%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 1.83 k$ (2018) -97%

Value 1.83 k$ (2018)

Change since 2013 -97.1%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 9.03 t (2018) -55%

Value 9.03 t (2018)

Change since 2002 -54.9%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 15 k$ (2018) +732%

Value 15 k$ (2018)

Change since 2002 +731.7%

Agriculture use of urea 925 kt (2022) +928%

Value 925 kt (2022)

Change since 2019 +927.8%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 250 $ (2018) -86%

Value 250 $ (2018)

Change since 2011 -85.9%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 0.2 t (2018) -87%

Value 0.2 t (2018)

Change since 2011 -86.7%

Export of urea 0 t (2014) -100%

Value 0 t (2014)

Change since 2009 -100.0%

Export value of urea 0 $ (2014) -100%

Value 0 $ (2014)

Change since 2009 -100.0%

Import of urea 3.48 kt (2018) +23071%

Value 3.48 kt (2018)

Change since 2002 +23071.1%

Import value of urea 2.46 M$ (2018) +87932%

Value 2.46 M$ (2018)

Change since 2002 +87931.8%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 2.9 kt (2023) +1248%

Value 2.9 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1248.2%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 8.93 kt (2023) +1012%

Value 8.93 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +1011.9%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 5.1 kg/ha (2023) +161%

Value 5.1 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +160.6%

N lost from croplands through leaching 1,689 kg/ha and ton (2023) +1076%

Value 1,689 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +1075.6%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 0.966 kg/ha (2023) +176%

Value 0.966 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +175.6%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 1.66 kg/ha (2023) +216%

Value 1.66 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +216.0%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 37.1 kt (2023) +367%

Value 37.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +367.4%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 9.54 kt (2023) +554%

Value 9.54 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +554.4%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 21.2 kg/ha (2023) +10%

Value 21.2 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +9.6%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 5.45 kg/ha (2023) +53%

Value 5.45 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +53.4%

Nitrogen use efficiency 78.9 % (2014) +11%

Value 78.9 % (2014)

Change since 1961 +10.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 559 kt CO₂e (2024) +305%

Value 559 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +304.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 1,020 Gt CO₂e (2023) +79%

Value 1,020 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 +78.9%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 121 t CO₂e/person (2023) -11%

Value 121 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -11.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0039 t (2023) +77%

Value 0.0039 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +77.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0077 t (2023) +250%

Value 0.0077 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +250.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.446 t (2023) +281%

Value 0.446 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +280.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0168 t (2023) +572%

Value 0.0168 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +572.0%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0011 t (2023) -8%

Value 0.0011 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -8.3%

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

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 —

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.0354 t (2023) +225%

Value 0.0354 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +224.8%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0009 t (2023) +80%

Value 0.0009 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +80.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0017 t (2023) +240%

Value 0.0017 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +240.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.1 t (2023) +281%

Value 0.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +281.4%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0038 t (2023) +533%

Value 0.0038 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +533.3%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 4.8 t (2023) +78%

Value 4.8 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +77.8%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 9.4 t (2023) +248%

Value 9.4 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +248.1%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 546 t (2023) +281%

Value 546 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +281.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 20.6 t (2023) +565%

Value 20.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +564.5%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 1.91 kt (2023) +62%

Value 1.91 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +61.9%

N content from crop residues, for maize 250 t (2023) +80%

Value 250 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +80.3%

N content from crop residues, for millet 488 t (2023) +245%

Value 488 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +245.1%

N content from crop residues, for oats 488 t (2023) +245%

Value 488 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +245.1%

N content from crop residues, for rice 28.4 kt (2023) +281%

Value 28.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +280.9%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 1.07 kt (2023) +565%

Value 1.07 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +564.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 1.09 kg/ha (2023) -62%

Value 1.09 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -62.0%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 893 kt CO₂e (2024) +227%

Value 893 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +226.8%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 111 % change (2024) +66886%

Value 111 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +66885.7%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 1,460 Gt CO₂e (2024) +3759%

Value 1,460 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +3759.1%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.0497 % (2024) +89%

Value 0.0497 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +89.0%

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 0.014 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 90.9 kt CO₂e (2024) +25%

Value 90.9 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +24.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 17.3 kt CO₂e (2024) +4225%

Value 17.3 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +4225.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 1.1 kt CO₂e (2024) -42%

Value 1.1 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 -42.1%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 132 kt CO₂e (2024) +241%

Value 132 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +241.5%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 700 t CO₂e (2024) —

Value 700 t CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 11.3 kt CO₂e (2024) +2725%

Value 11.3 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +2725.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 80.3 kt CO₂e (2024) +288%

Value 80.3 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +287.9%

Population (total) 8.82 M (2025) +289%

Value 8.82 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +288.8%

GDP (current US$) 7.46 B$ (2025) +2218%

Value 7.46 B$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +2218.0%

GDP per capita (current US$) 846 $ (2025) +496%

Value 846 $ (2025)

Change since 1960 +496.2%

Cropland area (% of land area) 2.29 % of land area (2023) +200%

Value 2.29 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +200.0%

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) 29.5 % of GDP (2025) -15%

Value 29.5 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1964 -15.2%

Cropland area (hectares) 1,749,000 ha (2023) +327%

Value 1,749,000 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +326.6%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations