CO₂ emissions · Africa · 2024 data
Malawi CO₂ Emissions
Malawi emitted 1.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 0.09 t per person — #157 of 213 countries and 0.01% of global emissions. That is 2% of the world average of 4.73 t per person. Over the past ten years emissions rose by 85%.
CO₂ emissions of Malawi, 1950–2024
Million tonnes of CO₂ per year · fossil fuels and industry, excluding land use · Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Budget and Jones et al. (CC BY 4.0)
CO₂ emissions by year (table)
| Year | CO₂ (million t) | Per person (t) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.9 | 0.09 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 1.9 | 0.09 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 0.09 | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 1.7 | 0.08 | -10.0% |
| 2020 | 1.9 | 0.10 | +10.2% |
| 2019 | 1.7 | 0.09 | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 1.7 | 0.09 | +41.7% |
| 2017 | 1.2 | 0.07 | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 1.2 | 0.07 | +11.6% |
| 2015 | 1.1 | 0.06 | +3.4% |
| 2014 | 1.0 | 0.06 | -9.4% |
| 2013 | 1.1 | 0.07 | +7.6% |
| 2012 | 1.0 | 0.07 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 1.0 | 0.07 | +6.4% |
| 2010 | 1.0 | 0.07 | -4.5% |
| 2009 | 1.0 | 0.07 | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 1.0 | 0.07 | +8.7% |
| 2007 | 0.9 | 0.07 | +8.0% |
| 2006 | 0.9 | 0.07 | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 0.8 | 0.07 | -6.3% |
| 2004 | 0.9 | 0.07 | -1.4% |
| 2003 | 0.9 | 0.08 | +6.9% |
| 2002 | 0.9 | 0.07 | +10.2% |
| 2001 | 0.8 | 0.07 | -9.0% |
| 2000 | 0.9 | 0.08 | -4.4% |
| 1999 | 0.9 | 0.08 | -1.0% |
| 1998 | 0.9 | 0.08 | -1.7% |
| 1997 | 0.9 | 0.09 | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 0.9 | 0.09 | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 0.9 | 0.09 | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 0.9 | 0.09 | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 0.9 | 0.09 | +11.7% |
| 1992 | 0.8 | 0.08 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 0.8 | 0.08 | +6.8% |
| 1990 | 0.7 | 0.08 | +30.9% |
| 1989 | 0.6 | 0.06 | +4.1% |
| 1988 | 0.5 | 0.06 | -0.7% |
| 1987 | 0.5 | 0.07 | -1.3% |
| 1986 | 0.6 | 0.07 | -0.7% |
| 1985 | 0.6 | 0.07 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 0.6 | 0.08 | -3.3% |
| 1983 | 0.6 | 0.08 | -3.0% |
| 1982 | 0.6 | 0.09 | -1.8% |
| 1981 | 0.6 | 0.09 | -14.9% |
| 1980 | 0.7 | 0.11 | +11.5% |
| 1979 | 0.6 | 0.11 | -4.9% |
| 1978 | 0.7 | 0.12 | +5.2% |
| 1977 | 0.6 | 0.11 | +9.5% |
| 1976 | 0.6 | 0.11 | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 0.6 | 0.11 | +5.3% |
| 1974 | 0.5 | 0.11 | -3.9% |
| 1973 | 0.6 | 0.11 | +4.6% |
| 1972 | 0.5 | 0.11 | +8.8% |
| 1971 | 0.5 | 0.11 | +10.6% |
| 1970 | 0.5 | 0.10 | +19.2% |
| 1969 | 0.4 | 0.08 | -1.8% |
| 1968 | 0.4 | 0.09 | +6.0% |
| 1967 | 0.4 | 0.09 | -14.7% |
| 1966 | 0.4 | 0.10 | +23.3% |
| 1965 | 0.3 | 0.09 | +5.5% |
| 1964 | 0.3 | 0.08 | -4.9% |
| 1963 | 0.3 | 0.09 | -3.9% |
| 1962 | 0.4 | 0.10 | -3.2% |
| 1961 | 0.4 | 0.10 | -14.8% |
| 1960 | 0.4 | 0.12 | -4.8% |
| 1959 | 0.5 | 0.13 | +11.7% |
| 1958 | 0.4 | 0.12 | -10.6% |
| 1957 | 0.5 | 0.14 | +2.9% |
| 1956 | 0.4 | 0.14 | +9.0% |
| 1955 | 0.4 | 0.13 | +17.8% |
| 1954 | 0.3 | 0.11 | +10.1% |
| 1953 | 0.3 | 0.10 | +8.9% |
| 1952 | 0.3 | 0.10 | +12.4% |
| 1951 | 0.3 | 0.09 | +10.2% |
| 1950 | 0.2 | 0.08 | — |
Where Malawi's CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source. Oil dominates — mostly transport fuel, so electrifying vehicles matters most here.
Per person: Malawi vs the world
Production vs consumption
Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, Malawi's consumption-based footprint was 3.2 million tonnes (0.15 t per person) in 2023. Malawi is a net importer of emissions: its consumption causes 75% more CO₂ than it emits at home.
Primary energy use: 399 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).
All greenhouse gases (2024)
Malawi and its neighbours — CO₂ per person
Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in Malawi
How much CO₂ does Malawi emit?
What are Malawi's CO₂ emissions per capita?
Are Malawi's emissions going up or down?
What is the main source of CO₂ in Malawi?
How much has Malawi contributed to climate change historically?
Data: Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Budget and Jones et al. (CC BY 4.0). CO₂ figures cover fossil fuels and industry (territorial), excluding land-use change unless stated.