South Korea

Indicators

Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year 246 kg per hectare (2009) —

Excess nitrogen from croplands single year 517 kt (2009) —

Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year 0.688 % (2009) —

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation 30.1 kt (2023) -44%

Value 30.1 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -44.3%

Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland 19.9 kg/ha (2023) -23%

Value 19.9 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -22.8%

Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year -12.4 % (2020) —

N fertilizer consumption per capita 1.79 kg/person (2023) +180%

Value 1.79 kg/person (2023)

Change since 1961 +179.7%

Total nitrogen fertilizer production 143 kt (2023) +313%

Value 143 kt (2023)

Change since 2001 +312.8%

Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land 262 kg/ha (2023) +69%

Value 262 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +68.7%

Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year 605 kt (2009) —

Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year 288 kg/ha (2009) —

Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland 140 kg/ha (2023) +35%

Value 140 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +35.1%

Total N fertilizer production 298 kt (2023) +717%

Value 298 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +717.4%

N fertilizer imports 376 kt (2023) +108%

Value 376 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +108.2%

N fertilizer exports 208 kt (2023) +2161%

Value 208 kt (2023)

Change since 1967 +2160.7%

N fertilizer use per capita 4.09 kg/ person (2023) -49%

Value 4.09 kg/ person (2023)

Change since 1961 -49.4%

Agricultural use of N fertilizer 211 kt (2023) -3%

Value 211 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -2.5%

N fertilizers use per area of cropland 140 kg/ha (2023) +35%

Value 140 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +35.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers, per hectare of cropland 143 kg/ha (2023) +38%

Value 143 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +37.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure 134 kt (2023) +566%

Value 134 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +566.0%

Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland 88.5 kg/ha (2023) +823%

Value 88.5 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +822.9%

N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production 13.7 g per $ (2023) -76%

Value 13.7 g per $ (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.7%

Export of ammonia (anhydrous) 41.2 kt (2024) +206101950%

Value 41.2 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +206101950.0%

Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) 25 M$ (2024) +11369909%

Value 25 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +11369909.1%

Import of ammonia (anhydrous) 1.19 Mt (2024) +49%

Value 1.19 Mt (2024)

Change since 2002 +49.2%

Import value of ammonia (anhydrous) 489 M$ (2024) +341%

Value 489 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +340.8%

Export of ammonium nitrate 169 kt (2024) +7184%

Value 169 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +7184.5%

Export value of ammonium nitrate 87 M$ (2024) +14242%

Value 87 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +14242.3%

Import of ammonium nitrate 882 t (2024) +54%

Value 882 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +53.9%

Import value of ammonium nitrate 582 k$ (2024) +137%

Value 582 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +137.2%

Agricultural use of ammonium sulphate 5.36 kt (2024) -72%

Value 5.36 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -71.6%

Export of ammonium sulphate 107 kt (2024) -69%

Value 107 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -69.0%

Export value of ammonium sulphate 18.4 M$ (2024) -23%

Value 18.4 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -22.8%

Import of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 87.2 kt (2024) +3039%

Value 87.2 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +3039.5%

Import value of ammonium sulphate (1000 USD) 18.6 M$ (2024) +5717%

Value 18.6 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +5716.6%

Production of ammonium sulphate (Tonnes) 111 kt (2024) -79%

Value 111 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -79.3%

Export of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 1.04 kt (2024) +103580%

Value 1.04 kt (2024)

Change since 2013 +103580.0%

Export value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 1.12 M$ (2024) +560455%

Value 1.12 M$ (2024)

Change since 2013 +560455.0%

Import of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 0.1 t (2024) -90%

Value 0.1 t (2024)

Change since 2002 -90.0%

Import value of calcium ammonium nitrate and other mixtures with calcium carbonate 570 $ (2024) -49%

Value 570 $ (2024)

Change since 2002 -49.1%

Amount of N added to cropland through synthetic fertilizers 216 kt N (2023) -1%

Value 216 kt N (2023)

Change since 1961 -0.5%

Export of fertilizers n.e.c. 7.46 kt (2024) -6%

Value 7.46 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -5.8%

Export value of fertilizers n.e.c. 3.63 M$ (2024) +30%

Value 3.63 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +29.8%

Import of fertilizers n.e.c. 53.5 kt (2024) +1179%

Value 53.5 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +1179.1%

Import value of fertilizers n.e.c. 27.3 M$ (2024) +811%

Value 27.3 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +810.9%

Agricultural use of NPK fertilizers 795 kt (2024) -43%

Value 795 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -43.4%

Export of NPK fertilizers 158 kt (2024) -21%

Value 158 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -21.1%

Export value of NPK fertilizers 158 M$ (2024) -21%

Value 158 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 -21.1%

Import of NPK fertilizers 32 kt (2024) +13%

Value 32 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +12.8%

Import value of NPK fertilizers 32.7 M$ (2024) +382%

Value 32.7 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +382.4%

Production of NPK fertilizers 1.59 Mt (2024) -6%

Value 1.59 Mt (2024)

Change since 2002 -6.4%

Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers 2.2 kt (2024) -82%

Value 2.2 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -82.3%

Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 2.72 M$ (2024) +118%

Value 2.72 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +117.8%

Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers 37.8 kt (2024) +92%

Value 37.8 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +92.0%

Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers 16 M$ (2024) +197%

Value 16 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +197.2%

Agriculture use of urea 111 kt (2024) -64%

Value 111 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 -63.8%

Export of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 6 t (2024) +255%

Value 6 t (2024)

Change since 2014 +255.0%

Export value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 87.5 k$ (2024) +20258%

Value 87.5 k$ (2024)

Change since 2014 +20258.1%

Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 1.11 k$ (2024) +754%

Value 1.11 k$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +753.8%

Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions 0.78 t (2024) +500%

Value 0.78 t (2024)

Change since 2002 +500.0%

Export of urea 20.4 kt (2024) +1591%

Value 20.4 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +1591.4%

Export value of urea 12.2 M$ (2024) +3536%

Value 12.2 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +3535.8%

Import of urea 738 kt (2024) +3%

Value 738 kt (2024)

Change since 2002 +3.3%

Import value of urea 306 M$ (2024) +238%

Value 306 M$ (2024)

Change since 2002 +238.2%

Production of urea 0 t (2021) -100%

Value 0 t (2021)

Change since 2002 -100.0%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation 104 kt (2023) +46%

Value 104 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +45.7%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition 23.4 kt (2023) +210%

Value 23.4 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +210.4%

N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland 15.5 kg/ha (2023) +330%

Value 15.5 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +330.1%

N lost from croplands through leaching 47,910 kg/ha and ton (2023) +86%

Value 47,910 kg/ha and ton (2023)

Change since 1961 +86.4%

N lost from croplands through leaching, per hectare of cropland 31.7 kg/ha (2023) +158%

Value 31.7 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +158.2%

N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha) 68.5 kg/ha (2023) +102%

Value 68.5 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +101.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting 124 kt (2023) +0%

Value 124 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +0.1%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue 51.8 kt (2023) +52%

Value 51.8 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 +51.9%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting, per hectare of cropland 81.8 kg/ha (2023) +39%

Value 81.8 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +38.8%

Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland 34.3 kg/ha (2023) +110%

Value 34.3 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +110.5%

Nitrogen use efficiency 25.2 % (2014) -29%

Value 25.2 % (2014)

Change since 1961 -28.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from agriculture 4.34 Mt CO₂e (2024) +45%

Value 4.34 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +44.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture 4,550 Gt CO₂e (2023) -5%

Value 4,550 Gt CO₂e (2023)

Change since 1990 -4.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita 87.9 t CO₂e/person (2023) -19%

Value 87.9 t CO₂e/person (2023)

Change since 1990 -18.7%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.0132 t (2023) -96%

Value 0.0132 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -96.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0018 t (2023) -68%

Value 0.0018 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -68.4%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0117 t (2023) +234%

Value 0.0117 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +234.3%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.0002 t (2023) -99%

Value 0.0002 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -98.6%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.016 t (2023) -31%

Value 0.016 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -31.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.809 t (2023) -11%

Value 0.809 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -10.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rye 0 t (2023) -100%

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.0006 t (2023) -74%

Value 0.0006 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -73.9%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0319 t (2023) -58%

Value 0.0319 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -58.2%

Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0103 t (2023) -72%

Value 0.0103 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.6%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for maize 0.0011 t (2023) -35%

Value 0.0011 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -35.3%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for rice 0.0273 t (2023) -37%

Value 0.0273 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -37.1%

N₂O emissions from burning crop residues, for wheat 0.0003 t (2023) -86%

Value 0.0003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -85.7%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 0.003 t (2023) -96%

Value 0.003 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -96.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 0.0004 t (2023) -69%

Value 0.0004 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -69.2%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 0.0026 t (2023) +225%

Value 0.0026 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +225.0%

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

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes 0.0036 t (2023) -31%

Value 0.0036 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -30.8%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 0.182 t (2023) -11%

Value 0.182 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -11.0%

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

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

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

Value 0.0001 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -80.0%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 0.0072 t (2023) -58%

Value 0.0072 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -58.1%

Indirect N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 0.0023 t (2023) -72%

Value 0.0023 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -72.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for barley 16.2 t (2023) -96%

Value 16.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -96.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans 2.2 t (2023) -69%

Value 2.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -68.6%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for maize 14.3 t (2023) +233%

Value 14.3 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +232.6%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for millet 0.2 t (2023) -99%

Value 0.2 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -98.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for potatoes (kt) 19.7 t (2023) -31%

Value 19.7 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -30.9%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for rice 990 t (2023) -11%

Value 990 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -11.0%

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

Value 0 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for sorghum 0.7 t (2023) -75%

Value 0.7 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.0%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for soya beans 39.1 t (2023) -58%

Value 39.1 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -58.2%

N₂O emissions from crop residues, for wheat 12.6 t (2023) -72%

Value 12.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.7%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds 2.85 kt (2023) -15%

Value 2.85 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -15.3%

N content from crop residues, for barley 839 t (2023) -96%

Value 839 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -96.0%

N content from crop residues, for dry beans 114 t (2023) -68%

Value 114 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -68.5%

N content from crop residues, for maize 745 t (2023) +237%

Value 745 t (2023)

Change since 1961 +237.0%

N content from crop residues, for millet 12 t (2023) -99%

Value 12 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -98.7%

N content from crop residues, for oats 12 t (2023) -99%

Value 12 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -98.7%

N content from crop residues, for potatoes 1.02 kt (2023) -31%

Value 1.02 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -30.9%

N content from crop residues, for rice 51.5 kt (2023) -11%

Value 51.5 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -11.0%

N content from crop residues, for rye 0.0257 t (2023) -100%

Value 0.0257 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -100.0%

N content from crop residues, for sorghum 36.6 t (2023) -75%

Value 36.6 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -75.0%

N content from crop residues, for soya beans 2.03 kt (2023) -58%

Value 2.03 kt (2023)

Change since 1961 -58.3%

N content from crop residues, for wheat 652 t (2023) -72%

Value 652 t (2023)

Change since 1961 -71.8%

Amount of N added to cropland through planting seeds, per hectare of cropland 1.89 kg/ha (2023) +17%

Value 1.89 kg/ha (2023)

Change since 1961 +17.4%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF 13.1 Mt CO₂e (2024) +179%

Value 13.1 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +178.9%

Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) 40.9 % change (2024) +11%

Value 40.9 % change (2024)

Change since 1991 +11.2%

N₂O emissions from all sectors 13,689 Gt CO₂e (2024) +8814%

Value 13,689 Gt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1850 +8814.0%

Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions 0.466 % (2024) +336%

Value 0.466 % (2024)

Change since 1850 +336.5%

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 0.688 Mt CO2e/ person (2009) —

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) Emissions from buildings (Energy) 184 kt CO₂e (2024) +123%

Value 184 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +122.7%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from fugitive emissions (Energy) 13.6 kt CO₂e (2024) +353%

Value 13.6 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +353.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial combustion (Energy) 204 kt CO₂e (2024) +470%

Value 204 kt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +470.3%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from industrial processes 2.68 Mt CO₂e (2024) +153%

Value 2.68 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +152.6%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy) 2.83 Mt CO₂e (2024) +8044%

Value 2.83 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +8044.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy) 1.64 Mt CO₂e (2024) +6406%

Value 1.64 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +6406.0%

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from waste 1.25 Mt CO₂e (2024) +165%

Value 1.25 Mt CO₂e (2024)

Change since 1970 +165.0%

Population (total) 51.7 M (2025) +107%

Value 51.7 M (2025)

Change since 1960 +106.6%

GDP (current US$) 1.87 T$ (2025) +47027%

Value 1.87 T$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +47026.7%

GDP per capita (current US$) 36.2 k$ (2025) +22707%

Value 36.2 k$ (2025)

Change since 1960 +22706.6%

Cropland area (% of land area) 2.1 % of land area (2023) +227%

Value 2.1 % of land area (2023)

Change since 1961 +226.8%

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) 1.46 % of GDP (2025) -96%

Value 1.46 % of GDP (2025)

Change since 1960 -96.0%

Cropland area (hectares) 1,512,000 ha (2023) -28%

Value 1,512,000 ha (2023)

Change since 1961 -27.8%

Socio-economic Information

N₂O Emissions by Sector

Indicators

Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations