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South Africa CO2 per unit GDP 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

CO2 per unit GDP in South Africa stood at 0.585 kg/$ in 2022, according to Our World in Data. The latest value is down 9.1% from 0.644 kg/$ in 2021. Ten years earlier, in 2012, the value was 0.702 kg/$ (down 17% since). The latest value is the lowest since 1950; the highest was 1.504 kg/$ in 1986. South Africa ranked 7th 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 South Africa. 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 Africa, 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 South Africa?

CO2 per unit GDP in South Africa stood at 0.585 kg/$ in 2022, according to Our World in Data.

Is CO2 per unit GDP in South Africa rising or falling?

The latest value is down 9.1% from 0.644 kg/$ in 2021. Ten years earlier, in 2012, the value was 0.702 kg/$ (down 17% since).

How does South Africa rank for CO2 per unit GDP?

South Africa ranked 7th 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 South Africa?

The latest value is the lowest since 1950; the highest was 1.504 kg/$ in 1986.

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

Latest value: 0.585 kg/$ (2022)

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Source:Our World in Data — series co2_per_gdp
License:CC BY 4.0
Cite this chart
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_co2_per_unit_gdp_zaf,
  author = {{Our World in Data}},
  title = {{CO2 per unit GDP --- South Africa}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/co2-per-unit-gdp/ZAF},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co2-emissions-and-gdp}
}