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New Zealand CO2 per unit GDP 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

CO2 per unit GDP in New Zealand stood at 0.159 kg/$ in 2022, according to Our World in Data. The latest value is down 9.6% from 0.176 kg/$ in 2021. Ten years earlier, in 2012, the value was 0.246 kg/$ (down 35% since). The highest value since 1820 was 0.554 kg/$ in 1910, the lowest 0 kg/$ in 1820. New Zealand ranked 105th 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

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1820–2022
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What is CO2 per unit GDP?

CO2 per unit GDP, measured in kg/$, measures the total economic output of New Zealand. 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 New Zealand, 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.

Key facts

What is the latest CO2 per unit GDP in New Zealand?

CO2 per unit GDP in New Zealand stood at 0.159 kg/$ in 2022, according to Our World in Data.

Is CO2 per unit GDP in New Zealand rising or falling?

The latest value is down 9.6% from 0.176 kg/$ in 2021. Ten years earlier, in 2012, the value was 0.246 kg/$ (down 35% since).

How does New Zealand rank for CO2 per unit GDP?

New Zealand ranked 105th highest of the 163 countries in this dataset in 2022; North Korea ranked first.

What is the highest CO2 per unit GDP on record in New Zealand?

The highest value since 1820 was 0.554 kg/$ in 1910, the lowest 0 kg/$ in 1820.

Metadata for CO2 per unit GDP in New Zealand
IndicatorCO2 per unit GDP
CountryNew Zealand
CategoryCommodities and Energy
Unitkg/$
SourceOur World in Data
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Latest value: 0.159 kg/$ (2022)

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Cite this chart
APA

Our World in Data. (2026). CO2 per unit GDP — New Zealand [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/NZL. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp

MLA

Our World in Data. "CO2 per unit GDP — New Zealand." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/NZL. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp.

Chicago

Our World in Data. 2026. "CO2 per unit GDP — New Zealand." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/NZL. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_co2_per_unit_gdp_nzl,
  author = {{Our World in Data}},
  title = {{CO2 per unit GDP --- New Zealand}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/NZL},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp}
}