Average carbon footprint in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia emits about 20.4 tCO2e per person per year (territorial emissions). That places it around #1 globally, which is considered very high on a per-person basis.

This is ~4.3× the global median (~4.7 tCO2e per person). Within Asia, Saudi Arabia ranks around #1 and sits about 205% above the regional median of ~6.7.

Population is roughly 35.3 million (2024).

GDP per capita is approximately $35,122 (2024).

Urban population is around 84% (2024).

Electricity renewables share is roughly ~2% of electricity.

Grid carbon intensity is roughly ~692 gCO2/kWh.

Per-capita emissions divide a country's total CO₂ output by its population. That lets us compare nations fairly regardless of size. A large country with high total emissions can still have low per-person emissions if its population is very large.

Globally, the main sectors driving emissions are electricity and heat, transport, industry, buildings, and food. The mix varies by country: colder climates often use more heating; car-dependent societies have higher transport emissions; industrial economies tend to show more industry-related CO₂.

For Saudi Arabia, with very high per-capita emissions, the gap to global and climate targets is substantial. Decoupling economic activity from emissions—through clean energy, efficiency, and behavior change—is the main pathway to reduction.

GDP per capita is roughly $35,122 (2024). Economic activity typically drives emissions through industry, transport, and residential energy use. The pace of electrification and clean energy deployment will shape future trajectories.

Around 84% of the population lives in urban areas (2024). Urbanization can affect transport patterns, building density, and heating and cooling demand. Denser cities often support public transit and district heating; sprawl tends to increase car dependency and per-capita emissions.

Grid carbon intensity is relatively high, which means electrifying transport and heating yields smaller emission cuts until the electricity mix decarbonizes. Cleaner grids amplify the benefit of EVs and heat pumps.

Territorial emissions count CO₂ produced within national borders. Consumption-based emissions attribute CO₂ to where goods are consumed. Both perspectives matter for understanding the full carbon footprint.

Territorial emissions count CO₂ produced within a country's borders. Consumption-based emissions attribute CO₂ to where goods are consumed. Saudi Arabia's territorial per-capita is ~20.4 tCO2e; consumption-based is lower (~19.7 tCO2e), suggesting net exports of embedded carbon. Both perspectives matter.

Targeted actions depend on the country's starting point. For Saudi Arabia, with very high per-capita emissions, potential levers include:

• Phasing out coal and fossil gas in power generation
• Cutting down on air travel and long-haul freight
• Shifting diets toward less carbon-intensive foods
• Retrofitting older buildings with heat pumps
• Improving industrial process efficiency
• Reducing food waste along the supply chain
• Expanding public transit and active mobility
• Increasing renewable share in electricity generation
• Improving building insulation and energy efficiency
• Reducing car use and choosing electric vehicles
• Switching to renewable electricity and heat pumps for heating
• Electrifying industrial heating and process heat

• World Bank: SP.POP.TOTL (2024)
• World Bank: NY.GDP.PCAP.CD (2024)
• World Bank: SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS (2024)
• CO₂ per capita, emissions: OWID (2024)
• Electricity intensity & renewables: OWID (2024)