Definition: Breakdown of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions across different economic sectors.
Values shown are the most recent available data for each sector.
Excess nitrogen per hectare of cropland single year
20.7 kg per hectare
(2009)—
Excess nitrogen from croplands single year
200 kt
(2009)—
Share of global excess nitrogen from croplands single year
0.266 %
(2009)—
Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation
233 kt
(2023)
+64%
Value
233 kt (2023)
Change since 2012
+64.3%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Biological fixation is a process where nitrogen gas is incorporated into the tissue of certain plants with the help of soil microorganisms.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen: biological fixation. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Amount of N added to cropland through biological fixation, per hectare of cropland
11 kg/ha
(2023)
+55%
Value
11 kg/ha (2023)
Change since 2012
+55.0%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Biological fixation is a process where nitrogen gas is incorporated into the tissue of certain plants with the help of soil microorganisms.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: biological fixation. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Which countries overapplied nitrogen without gains in crop yields? single year
12.2 %
(2020)—
N fertilizer consumption per capita
0.03 kg/person
(2023)
-40%
Value
0.03 kg/person (2023)
Change since 2012
-40.0%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Land, Inputs and Sustainability: Fertilizers by Nutrient.
The Fertilizers by Nutrient dataset contains information on the totals in nutrients for Production, Trade and Agriculture Use of inorganic (chemical or mineral) fertilizers, over the time series 1961-2023.
The data are provided for the three primary plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) and potassium (expressed as K2O). Both straight and compound fertilizers are included.
There is information on the methodology available at: https://files-faostat.fao.org/production/RFN/RFN_EN_README.pdf
Citation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
“Nutrient nitrogen n (total) - Use per capita (Kilograms per capita) – UN FAO” [dataset]. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
“Land, Inputs and Sustainability: Fertilizers by Nutrient” [original data].
Total nitrogen fertilizer production
0 t
(2020)—
Value
0 t (2020)
Change since 2002
—
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 2012
—
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – Land, Inputs and Sustainability: Fertilizers by Nutrient. The Fertilizers by Nutrient
dataset contains information on the totals in nutrients for Production, Trade and Agriculture Use of inorganic (chemical or mineral) fertilizers, over the time
series 1961-2023. The data are provided for the three primary plant nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (expressed as P2O5) and potassium (expressed as K2O).
Both straight and compound fertilizers are included.There is information on the methodology available at: https://files-faostat.fao.org/production/RFN/RFN_EN_README.pdf
Citation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
“Nitrogen fertilizer production – UN FAO” [dataset]. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
“Land, Inputs and Sustainability: Fertilizers by Nutrient” [original data].
Nitrogen fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land
7.1 kg/ha
(2023)
+113%
Value
7.1 kg/ha (2023)
Change since 2012
+113.4%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients used per unit of arable land. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash,
and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. For the purpose of data
dissemination, FAO has adopted the concept of a calendar year (January to December). Some countries compile fertilizer data on a calendar year basis,
while others are on a split-year basis. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once),
temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting
cultivation is excluded. Note: Where data for 2023 is unavailable, the value from the closest year between 2020 and 2022 is shown instead.
Citation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
“Nutrient nitrogen n (total) - Use per capita (Kilograms per capita) – UN FAO” [dataset]. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
“Land, Inputs and Sustainability: Fertilizers by Nutrient” [original data].
Total nitrogen inputs to crops single year
247 kt
(2009)—
Nitrogen inputs per hectare of cropland single year
25.6 kg/ha
(2009)—
Nitrogen fertilizer use per hectare of cropland
5.68 kg/ha
(2023)
+294%
Value
5.68 kg/ha (2023)
Change since 2012
+294.4%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Nitrogen fertilizer application rates per hectare of cropland.
Citation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Total N fertilizer production
0 t
(2023)—
Value
0 t (2023)
Change since 2012
—
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Total amount of nitrogen fertilizers produced in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Nutrient – N fertilizer production quantity. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN
N fertilizer imports
120 kt
(2023)
+522%
Value
120 kt (2023)
Change since 2012
+522.1%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Amount of nitrogen fertilizers imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Nutrient – N fertilizer import quantity. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN
N fertilizer exports
0 t
(2023)—
Value
0 t (2023)
Change since 2012
—
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Amount of nitrogen fertilizers exported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Nutrient – N fertilizer export quantity. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN
N fertilizer use per capita
2.41 kg/ person
(2023)
+209%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Nutrient – N fertilizer use per capita. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN
Agricultural use of N fertilizer
120 kt
(2023)
+319%
Value
120 kt (2023)
Change since 2012
+319.5%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Amount used in the agricultural sector in the year. Agricultural use of fertilizers refers to the use for crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture,
excluding use for animal feed. Other plant nutrition uses (such as application to ponds, turf and ornamentals) would be excluded, but limited data availability currently prevents
the discrimination of these uses. Therefore, it is assumed that those plant nutrition uses may also be included in the values for agriculture provided in this domain. Industrial
uses, also known as technical uses, are excluded, to the extent allowed by data availability. Changes in stocks are not considered either, due to lack of information. The impact
of stocks in the overall trend of the time series is assumed to be negligible.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Nutrient – N fertilizer agricultural use. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN
N fertilizers use per area of cropland
5.68 kg/ha
(2023)
+294%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen: mineral fertilizers. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure
85.7 kt
(2023)
+5%
Value
85.7 kt (2023)
Change since 2012
+5.0%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
FAO defines and calculates manure as animal waste on fields using additional coefficients to estimate use on cropland.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen: manure applied.
Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Amount of N added to cropland through animal manure, per hectare of cropland
4.04 kg/ha
(2023)
-1%
Value
4.04 kg/ha (2023)
Change since 2012
-0.9%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
FAO defines and calculates manure as animal waste on fields using additional coefficients to estimate use on cropland.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: manure applied. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production
9.19 g per $
(2023)
+253%
Value
9.19 g per $ (2023)
Change since 2012
+253.5%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Values are expressed in grams per international dollar.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Nutrient – N fertilizer use per value of agricultural production. Available at: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFN
Agricultural use of nutrient nitrogen
120 t
(2020)
+267%
Value
120 t (2020)
Change since 2000
+267.3%
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) single year
4.5 kt
(2014)—
Export value of ammonia (anhydrous) single year
2.48 M$
(2014)—
Import of ammonia (anhydrous)
82 t
(2018)
+7%
Value
82 t (2018)
Change since 2012
+6.7%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Amount of anhydrous ammonia imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Ammonia, anhydrous import quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import value of ammonia (anhydrous)
71.7 k$
(2018)
-40%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen: mineral fertilizers. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Export of fertilizers n.e.c.
0.02 t
(2014)
-100%
Value
0.02 t (2014)
Change since 2013
-100.0%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
From the FAO, these are fertilizers containing at least one of the fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium, not elsewhere classified.
(Unofficial definition). This indicator represents fertilizers not elsewhere classified exported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product –Fertilizers n.e.c. export quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Export value of fertilizers n.e.c.
330 $
(2014)
-99%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Fertilizers n.e.c. export value. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import of fertilizers n.e.c.
340 t
(2018)
-47%
Value
340 t (2018)
Change since 2012
-46.5%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
From the FAO, these are fertilizers containing at least one of the fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium, not elsewhere classified.
(Unofficial definition). This indicator represents fertilizers not elsewhere classified imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Fertilizers n.e.c. import quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import value of fertilizers n.e.c.
221 k$
(2018)
-82%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Fertilizers n.e.c. import value. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import of NPK fertilizers
2.17 kt
(2018)
+1297%
Value
2.17 kt (2018)
Change since 2012
+1297.2%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Fertilizers containing three nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. This indicator represents NPK fertilizers imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – NPK fertilizers import quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import value of NPK fertilizers
1.17 M$
(2018)
+556%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – NPK fertilizers import value. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Production of NPK fertilizers single year
0 t
(2014)—
Export of other nitrogenous fertilizers single year
0 t
(2018)—
Export value of other nitrogenous fertilizers single year
260 $
(2018)—
Import of other nitrogenous fertilizers
11.4 kt
(2018)
+33%
Value
11.4 kt (2018)
Change since 2012
+33.0%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Other nitrogenous fertilizers and mixtures, not elsewhere classified. This indicator represents other nitrogenous fertilizers and mixtures not elsewhere classified imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Other nitrogenous fertilizers import quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import value of other nitrogenous fertilizers
4.58 M$
(2018)
-34%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Other nitrogenous fertilizers import value. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import value of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions
821 k$
(2018)
+5489%
Value
821 k$ (2018)
Change since 2012
+5489.4%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammoniacal solution. This indicator represents UAN solutions imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Urea and ammonium nitrate solutions import value. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Production of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions single year
0 t
(2014)—
Import of urea and ammonium nitrate solutions
714 t
(2018)
+2674%
Value
714 t (2018)
Change since 2012
+2673.7%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammoniacal solution. This indicator represents UAN solutions imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Urea and ammonium nitrate solutions import quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Import of urea
209 kt
(2018)
+462%
Value
209 kt (2018)
Change since 2012
+462.1%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Amount of urea imported in the year.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT: Fertilizers by Product – Urea import quantity. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RFB
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen: volatilisation. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition
102 kt
(2023)
+5%
Value
102 kt (2023)
Change since 2012
+5.3%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Atmospheric deposition is defined as input from the atmosphere to the soil as dry and wet deposition.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen: atmospheric deposition. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
N added onto cropland from atmospheric deposition, per hectare of cropland
4.82 kg/ha
(2023)
-1%
Value
4.82 kg/ha (2023)
Change since 2012
-0.7%
Definition
(source:
FAOSTAT):
Atmospheric deposition is defined as input from the atmosphere to the soil as dry and wet deposition.
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: atmospheric deposition. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
N lost from croplands through leaching
29,191 kg/ha and ton
(2023)
+52%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: leaching. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
N lost from croplands through volatilisation, per hectare of cropland (kg/ha)
2.92 kg/ha
(2023)
+76%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: volatilisation. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Amount of N removed from cropland through crop harvesting
226 kt
(2023)
+50%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: crop harvest removal. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Amount of N removed from cropland through crop residue, per hectare of cropland
2.79 kg/ha
(2023)
-10%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: crop residue removal. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Nitrogen use efficiency
53.3 %
(2014)
-24%
Value
53.3 % (2014)
Change since 1961
-23.6%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is the ratio between nitrogen inputs and output. A NUE of 40% means that only 40% of nitrogen inputs are converted into nitrogen in the form of crops. The remaining 60% is lost to the environment as a pollutant.
The data of this indicator is based on the following sources:
Lassaletta et al. – 50 year trends in nitrogen use efficiency of world cropping systems: the relationship between yield and nitrogen input to cropland
This dataset measures the nitrogen balance of agricultural inputs and outputs.
Nitrogen inputs are measured as the application of nitrogen to crops either from synthetic fertilizers, or organic sources such as manure.
Nitrogen output is measured as the nitrogen produced in the form of crops.
Citation: Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data. “Nitrogen use efficiency” [dataset]. Lassaletta et al.,
“50 year trends in nitrogen use efficiency of world cropping systems: the relationship between yield and nitrogen input to cropland” [original data].
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O),
one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the agricultural sector.
This includes emissions from livestock (IPCC 2006 codes 3.A.1 – enteric
fermentation, 3.A.2 – manure management) and crops (IPCC 2006 codes 3.C.1 –
emissions from biomass burning, 3.C.2 – liming, 3.C.3 – urea application,
3.C.4 – direct N₂O emissions from managed soils, 3.C.5 – indirect N₂O
emissions from managed soils, 3.C.6 – indirect N₂O emissions from manure
management, 3.C.7 – rice cultivation). The measure is standardized to carbon
dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of
IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "Nitrous oxide emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset].
World Development Indicators. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.AG.MT.CE.AR5
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Agriculture sector contains emissions from the following activities:
CH₄ emissions from Enteric fermentation (livestock).
CH₄ and N₂O emissions from Manure management (livestock).
CH₄ emissions from Rice cultivation.
N₂O emissions from Agriculture soils. Crop residues. Drained organic soils. Manure applied to soils. Manure left on pasture. Synthetic fertilizers.
CH₄ and N₂O emissions from Other agricultural sources (burning of crop residues and savanna).
Please note that emissions associated with agriculture related energy use are reported under Energy sector, and thus not included here.
Citation: Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from agriculture per capita
492 t CO₂e/person
(2023)
-24%
Value
492 t CO₂e/person (2023)
Change since 1990
-24.0%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Agriculture sector contains emissions from the following activities:
CH₄ emissions from Enteric fermentation (livestock). CH₄ and N₂O emissions from Manure management (livestock). CH₄ emissions from Rice cultivation.
N₂O emissions from Agriculture soils. Crop residues. Drained organic soils. Manure applied to soils. Manure left on pasture. Synthetic fertilizers.
CH₄ and N₂O emissions from Other agricultural sources (burning of crop residues and savanna).
Please note that emissions associated with agriculture related energy use are reported under Energy sector, and thus not included here.
Citation: Climate Watch (2026); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Direct N₂O emissions from crop residues, for dry beans
0.0014 t
(2023)
+17%
Citation: FAO (2025). FAOSTAT and IFA Cropland Nutrient Balance: Cropland Nutrient Balance – Cropland nitrogen per unit area: seed. Available at: https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O),
one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the agriculture, energy, waste,
and industrial sectors, excluding LULUCF.. The measure is standardized to carbon
dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of
IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from agriculture, energy, industrial, and waste sectors,
excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.ZG.AR5
Total nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)
103 % change
(2024)
+3840%
Value
103 % change (2024)
Change since 1991
+3840.3%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
Change of emissions (as %) of current year with respect to emissions in
baseline year 1990 emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases
(GHG), from the agriculture, energy, waste, and industrial sectors, excluding LULUCF.
The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming
Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5). Negative values indicate
that the emission level for that year is lower than the emissions level in 1990.
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from agriculture, energy, industrial, and waste sectors, excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)" [Dataset].
World Development Indicators. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.MT.CE.AR5
N₂O emissions from all sectors
28,728 Gt CO₂e
(2024)
+8288%
Value
28,728 Gt CO₂e (2024)
Change since 1850
+8287.5%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Annual nitrous oxide emissions including land use. Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.
Citation: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. “Annual nitrous oxide emissions including land use” [dataset]. Jones et al.,
“National contributions to climate change 2025.1” [original data].
Share of global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions
0.979 %
(2024)
+311%
Value
0.979 % (2024)
Change since 1850
+310.7%
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
0.266 Mt CO2e/ person
(2009)—
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six
Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the building sector (subsector of the energy sector)
including IPCC 2006 codes 1.A.4 Residential and other sectors, 1.A.5 Non-Specified.
The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming
Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from buildings (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.BU.MT.CE.AR5
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six Kyoto
greenhouse gases (GHG), from fugitive emissions (subsector of the energy sector) including
IPCC 2006 codes 1.A.1.bc Petroleum Refining - Manufacture of Solid Fuels and Other Energy
Industries, 1.B.1 Solid Fuels, 1.B.2 Oil and Natural Gas, 5.B. The measure is standardized
to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of
IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from fugitive emissions (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.FE.MT.CE.AR5
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six Kyoto
greenhouse gases (GHG), from fugitive emissions (subsector of the energy sector) including
IPCC 2006 codes 1.A.1.bc Petroleum Refining - Manufacture of Solid Fuels and Other Energy
Industries, 1.B.1 Solid Fuels, 1.B.2 Oil and Natural Gas, 5.B. The measure is standardized
to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of
IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from industrial combustion (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.IC.MT.CE.AR5
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six Kyoto
greenhouse gases (GHG), from industrial combustion (subsector of the energy sector)
including IPCC 2006 code 1.A.2 Manufacturing Industries and Construction. The measure is
standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP)
factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from industrial processes (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.IP.MT.CE.AR5
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from power industry (Energy)
7.6 kt CO₂e
(2024)
+1800%
Value
7.6 kt CO₂e (2024)
Change since 1970
+1800.0%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six
Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from electricity and heat generation (subsector of the energy sector)
including IPCC 2006 code 1.A.1.a. The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent
values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from power industry (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.PI.MT.CE.AR5
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from transport (Energy)
171 kt CO₂e
(2024)
+1001%
Value
171 kt CO₂e (2024)
Change since 1970
+1001.3%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), one of the six
Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the transportation sector (subsector of the energy
sector) including IPCC 2006 codes 1.A.3.a Civil Aviation, 1.A.3.b_noRES Road
Transportation no resuspension, 1.A.3.c Railways, 1.A.3.d Water-borne Navigation,
1.A.3.e Other Transportation. The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent
values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report
(AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from transport (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.TR.MT.CE.AR5
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
A measure of annual emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O),
one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the waste sector. This includes
emissions from solid waste (IPCC 2006 codes 4.A Solid Waste Disposal, 4.B Biological
Treatment of Solid Waste, 4.C Incineration and Open Burning of Waste) and wastewater
treatment (IPCC 2006 code 4.D Wastewater Treatment and Discharge). The measure is
standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential
(GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).
Citation: World Bank (2024). "N2O from waste (Mt CO2e)" [Dataset]. World Development Indicators.
Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.N2O.WA.MT.CE.AR5
Population (total)
51.7 M
(2025)
+518%
Value
51.7 M (2025)
Change since 1960
+517.6%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
Total population counts all residents regardless of legal status
or citizenship. Values are midyear estimates.
Citation: United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects;
national statistical offices; Eurostat; and U.S. Census Bureau International Database.
Via World Bank, World Development Indicators (SP.POP.TOTL).
GDP (current US$)
60.2 B$
(2025)
+5241%
Value
60.2 B$ (2025)
Change since 1960
+5241.3%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
Gross domestic product at purchaser's prices: the sum of gross value
added by all resident producers in the economy plus any product taxes, minus subsidies
not included in the value of the products. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
Citation: World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data
files. Via World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD).
GDP per capita (current US$)
1.16 k$
(2025)
+1068%
Value
1.16 k$ (2025)
Change since 1960
+1067.9%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
Gross domestic product divided by midyear population.
Data are in current U.S. dollars.
Citation: World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data
files. Via World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD).
Cropland area (% of land area)
0.116 % of land area
(2023)
+39%
Value
0.116 % of land area (2023)
Change since 2012
+39.0%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
Share of land area under permanent crops: land cultivated with crops
that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest,
such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. Excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.
Citation: Food and Agriculture Organization, electronic files and web site.
Via World Bank, World Development Indicators (AG.LND.CROP.ZS).
Number of Public Policies (All Years) single year
3 policies
(2018)—
Number of Public Policies Enacted (by Year)
0 policies
(2018)—
Value
0 policies (2018)
Change since 1905
—
Definition
(source:
iN-Net Policy Database):
Count of nitrogen-related public policies and regulations enacted in
each country in a given year, per the iN-Net policy database. Records whose date could
not be parsed to a specific year are excluded here but are included in the "All Years"
total.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP)
29.4 % of GDP
(2025)
-43%
Value
29.4 % of GDP (2025)
Change since 1960
-42.9%
Definition
(source:
The World Bank):
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing corresponds to ISIC divisions 1-3
and includes forestry, hunting, and fishing, as well as cultivation of crops and
livestock production. Value added is the net output of a sector after adding up all
outputs and subtracting intermediate inputs, expressed as a share of GDP.
Citation: World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data
files. Via World Bank, World Development Indicators (NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS).
Cropland area (hectares)
21,211,000 ha
(2023)
+6%
Value
21,211,000 ha (2023)
Change since 2012
+6.0%
Definition
(source:
Our World in Data):
Total land area used for cultivation of crops, in hectares. Distinct
from cropland_area_pct, which expresses the same land use as a share of total land area.
Citation: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) -- processed by Our World in Data
Nitrogen-Related Policies & Regulations
All policies are sourced from the INMS International Policy Database
Visit Database