Thailand Ranks 24th in Global Per‑Capita CO₂ Emissions Among Top 30 Economies

The 2024 analysis from Our World in Data provides a detailed look at carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per person across the globe's 30 largest economies. This metric, known as per-capita CO₂ emissions, calculates the total CO₂ emissions of a nation divided by its population. It offers insight into the average individual's environmental impact from energy consumption and industrial activity, with measurements in tonnes per person per year.

Thailand records per-capita carbon dioxide emissions of 3.7 tonnes annually, ranking it 24th among the world's 30 largest economies. This positions Thailand below many major industrialized nations in terms of individual carbon footprint. For comparison, among these 30 major economies, Saudi Arabia exhibits the highest per-capita CO₂ emissions, registering 20.4 tonnes per person per year. This high figure reflects its significant role as an energy-producing nation and its energy-intensive domestic consumption.

At the other end of the spectrum, India records the lowest per-capita CO₂ emissions within the same group of 30 economies, at 2.2 tonnes per person per year. This indicates a relatively lower average carbon output per individual. Other notable emission levels include South Korea at 11.3 tonnes, Singapore at 9.2 tonnes, and China at 8.7 tonnes per person. Developed nations like the United States, Australia, and Canada show emissions between 13 and 14 tonnes per person, reflecting high levels of industrialization and consumer energy use. Brazil and Indonesia report 2.3 and 2.9 tonnes per person, respectively, aligning with lower-end emitters.

Thailand's position at 3.7 tonnes per person indicates an economy where fossil fuels still play a role in energy generation and industrial processes. However, its per-capita emissions remain significantly lower than those of major industrial powerhouses and energy exporters. The broad range of these figures across the top 30 economies illustrates diverse economic structures, varying energy mixes, and differing stages of development. High-emitting nations often feature extensive industrial bases, significant energy production, or high levels of consumption per individual, while lower emitters may have less industrialized economies or larger populations.

Future reports will reveal shifts in these emission rankings as economies worldwide implement strategies to transition to lower-carbon energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and pursue green development pathways in response to global climate goals.