CO2 per unit GDP in South Korea stood at 0.284 kg/$ in 2022, according to Our World in Data. The latest value is down 4% from 0.296 kg/$ in 2021. Ten years earlier, in 2012, the value was 0.381 kg/$ (down 25% since). The highest value since 1911 was 0.582 kg/$ in 1980, the lowest 0.00109 kg/$ in 1911. South Korea ranked 45th highest of the 163 countries in this dataset in 2022; North Korea ranked first.
Data source: Our World in Data · Unit: kg/$ · Category: Commodities and Energy · Explore more indicators on EconDash
CO2 per unit GDP, measured in kg/$, measures the total economic output of South Korea. It represents the broadest indicator of economic activity, capturing production, income, and expenditure across all sectors — from manufacturing and services to agriculture and government. GDP can be calculated three ways: by adding up all expenditures (consumption + investment + government spending + net exports), by summing all incomes earned, or by totaling value added at each production stage. In South Korea, the statistical agency compiles GDP data through comprehensive surveys of businesses, government records, and household expenditure patterns. While GDP per capita provides insight into average living standards, it does not capture income distribution, environmental costs, or unpaid work like caregiving. Nevertheless, GDP growth remains the most widely followed metric for assessing whether an economy is expanding or contracting.
CO2 per unit GDP in South Korea stood at 0.284 kg/$ in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
The latest value is down 4% from 0.296 kg/$ in 2021. Ten years earlier, in 2012, the value was 0.381 kg/$ (down 25% since).
South Korea ranked 45th highest of the 163 countries in this dataset in 2022; North Korea ranked first.
The highest value since 1911 was 0.582 kg/$ in 1980, the lowest 0.00109 kg/$ in 1911.
| Indicator | CO2 per unit GDP |
|---|---|
| Country | South Korea |
| Category | Commodities and Energy |
| Unit | kg/$ |
| Source | Our World in Data |
| Interactive chart | View on EconDash |
| API access | EconDash API documentation |
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Our World in Data. (2026). CO2 per unit GDP — South Korea [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/KOR. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp
Our World in Data. "CO2 per unit GDP — South Korea." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/KOR. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp.
Our World in Data. 2026. "CO2 per unit GDP — South Korea." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/KOR. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp.
@misc{econdash_co2_per_unit_gdp_kor,
author = {{Our World in Data}},
title = {{CO2 per unit GDP --- South Korea}},
howpublished = {EconDash},
year = {2026},
url = {https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/KOR},
note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp}
}Browse indicators available for South Korea. Click any indicator to view its interactive chart, compare with other countries, and download historical data.
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