Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France
France: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 102,305 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
102,305 tonnes
Change on year
down 6.7%
World rank
63rd
of 220 countries
All-time high
3.46 million tonnes
in 1976
All-time low
32,253 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
France recorded 102,305 tonnes for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.7% on the previous year and down 70.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France peaked at 3.46 million tonnes in 1976 and was at its lowest, 32,253 tonnes, in 1750.
France ranks 63rd of 220 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 32,253 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 32,277 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1752 | 32,302 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1753 | 32,326 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1754 | 32,349 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1755 | 32,372 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1756 | 32,395 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1757 | 32,418 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1758 | 32,440 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1759 | 32,462 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1760 | 32,484 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1761 | 32,505 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1762 | 32,526 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1763 | 32,547 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1764 | 32,568 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1765 | 32,588 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1766 | 32,608 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1767 | 32,627 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1768 | 32,646 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1769 | 32,665 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1770 | 32,684 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1771 | 32,702 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1772 | 32,720 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1773 | 32,738 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1774 | 32,755 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1775 | 32,772 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1776 | 32,789 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1777 | 32,805 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1778 | 32,821 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 32,837 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 32,852 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 32,868 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 32,882 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 32,897 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 32,911 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 32,925 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 32,939 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 32,952 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 32,965 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 32,978 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 32,990 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 33,002 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 33,014 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 33,025 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 33,036 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 33,047 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 33,057 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 33,068 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 33,077 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 33,087 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 33,096 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 33,267 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1802 | 42,324 tonnes | +27.2% |
| 1803 | 33,605 tonnes | -20.6% |
| 1804 | 42,413 tonnes | +26.2% |
| 1805 | 33,940 tonnes | -20.0% |
| 1806 | 34,105 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1807 | 34,270 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1808 | 34,434 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1809 | 34,597 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1810 | 43,181 tonnes | +24.8% |
| 1811 | 43,034 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1812 | 43,817 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1813 | 43,276 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1814 | 43,578 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1815 | 44,693 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1816 | 45,444 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1817 | 46,208 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1818 | 45,226 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1819 | 46,070 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1820 | 47,563 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1821 | 48,068 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1822 | 48,761 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1823 | 48,829 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1824 | 50,277 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1825 | 52,086 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1826 | 52,673 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1827 | 59,966 tonnes | +13.8% |
| 1828 | 61,351 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1829 | 60,742 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1830 | 62,702 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1831 | 60,831 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1832 | 63,434 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1833 | 65,804 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1834 | 72,572 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1835 | 74,028 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1836 | 79,611 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1837 | 82,563 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1838 | 84,727 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1839 | 83,658 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1840 | 84,668 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1841 | 93,037 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1842 | 96,182 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1843 | 96,607 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1844 | 99,761 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1845 | 110,320 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1846 | 113,416 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1847 | 122,938 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1848 | 106,761 tonnes | -13.2% |
| 1849 | 109,840 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1850 | 120,751 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1851 | 122,633 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1852 | 128,932 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1853 | 144,136 tonnes | +11.8% |
| 1854 | 159,747 tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1855 | 175,379 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1856 | 183,667 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1857 | 188,390 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1858 | 187,610 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1859 | 191,316 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1860 | 206,707 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1861 | 221,019 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1862 | 231,948 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1863 | 236,024 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1864 | 248,622 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1865 | 260,572 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1866 | 281,075 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1867 | 286,327 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1868 | 293,928 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1869 | 302,722 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1870 | 275,694 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 1871 | 275,323 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1872 | 325,305 tonnes | +18.2% |
| 1873 | 355,288 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1874 | 342,692 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1875 | 357,301 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1876 | 358,989 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1877 | 353,849 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1878 | 361,554 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1879 | 373,813 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1880 | 416,547 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1881 | 426,696 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1882 | 448,606 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1883 | 468,028 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1884 | 453,307 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1885 | 438,421 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1886 | 435,679 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1887 | 453,696 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1888 | 472,568 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1889 | 482,670 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1890 | 526,350 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1891 | 528,271 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1892 | 529,666 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1893 | 522,276 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1894 | 550,683 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1895 | 556,100 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1896 | 576,645 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1897 | 600,600 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1898 | 617,116 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1899 | 643,658 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1900 | 684,491 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1901 | 665,081 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1902 | 627,704 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1903 | 685,478 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1904 | 669,241 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1905 | 677,688 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1906 | 721,683 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1907 | 764,247 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1908 | 766,873 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1909 | 781,853 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1910 | 781,159 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1911 | 831,355 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1912 | 862,002 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1913 | 943,132 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1914 | 670,854 tonnes | -28.9% |
| 1915 | 591,019 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 1916 | 622,854 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1917 | 679,968 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1918 | 608,026 tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1919 | 638,312 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1920 | 819,730 tonnes | +28.4% |
| 1921 | 739,420 tonnes | -9.8% |
| 1922 | 855,560 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1923 | 944,961 tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1924 | 1.04 million tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1925 | 1.07 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1926 | 1.06 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1927 | 1.05 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1928 | 1.04 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1929 | 1.13 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1930 | 1.15 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1931 | 1.06 million tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1932 | 949,315 tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1933 | 1.01 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1934 | 1.03 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1935 | 1.02 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1936 | 1.04 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1937 | 1.14 million tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1938 | 1.08 million tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1939 | 1.05 million tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1940 | 744,103 tonnes | -28.9% |
| 1941 | 664,439 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1942 | 647,654 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1943 | 662,527 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1944 | 437,389 tonnes | -34.0% |
| 1945 | 579,948 tonnes | +32.6% |
| 1946 | 874,067 tonnes | +50.7% |
| 1947 | 916,278 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1948 | 965,364 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1949 | 1.11 million tonnes | +14.9% |
| 1950 | 991,385 tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1951 | 1.13 million tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1952 | 1.15 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1953 | 1.11 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1954 | 1.20 million tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1955 | 1.29 million tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1956 | 1.49 million tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1957 | 1.55 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1958 | 1.52 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1959 | 1.53 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1960 | 1.71 million tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1961 | 1.79 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1962 | 1.95 million tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1963 | 2.09 million tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1964 | 2.35 million tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1965 | 2.28 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1966 | 2.21 million tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1967 | 2.35 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1968 | 2.37 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1969 | 2.51 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1970 | 2.59 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1971 | 2.84 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1972 | 3.06 million tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1973 | 3.41 million tonnes | +11.7% |
| 1974 | 3.38 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1975 | 3.00 million tonnes | -11.1% |
| 1976 | 3.46 million tonnes | +15.2% |
| 1977 | 3.21 million tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1978 | 3.29 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1979 | 3.36 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 3.40 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1981 | 2.77 million tonnes | -18.4% |
| 1982 | 2.60 million tonnes | -6.3% |
| 1983 | 2.17 million tonnes | -16.4% |
| 1984 | 1.92 million tonnes | -11.7% |
| 1985 | 1.65 million tonnes | -14.0% |
| 1986 | 1.52 million tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1987 | 1.49 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1988 | 1.39 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1989 | 1.55 million tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1990 | 1.43 million tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1991 | 1.52 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1992 | 1.37 million tonnes | -10.2% |
| 1993 | 1.20 million tonnes | -11.9% |
| 1994 | 1.11 million tonnes | -7.4% |
| 1995 | 1.06 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1996 | 1.05 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1997 | 919,324 tonnes | -12.4% |
| 1998 | 966,140 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1999 | 871,889 tonnes | -9.8% |
| 2000 | 774,562 tonnes | -11.2% |
| 2001 | 695,457 tonnes | -10.2% |
| 2002 | 646,100 tonnes | -7.1% |
| 2003 | 646,783 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 649,616 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2005 | 617,223 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 2006 | 587,173 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2007 | 561,876 tonnes | -4.3% |
| 2008 | 480,129 tonnes | -14.5% |
| 2009 | 425,312 tonnes | -11.4% |
| 2010 | 398,045 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 2011 | 362,316 tonnes | -9.0% |
| 2012 | 343,843 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 2013 | 313,403 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2014 | 255,292 tonnes | -18.5% |
| 2015 | 235,468 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 2016 | 213,343 tonnes | -9.4% |
| 2017 | 217,595 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 224,579 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 189,943 tonnes | -15.4% |
| 2020 | 106,448 tonnes | -44.0% |
| 2021 | 109,631 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 102,305 tonnes | -6.7% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 102,305 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 26,427 tonnes, 3.9× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- France's 102,305 tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 40,466 tonnes, 2.5× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | +50.7% | 579,948 tonnes | 874,067 tonnes |
| 2020 | -44.0% | 189,943 tonnes | 106,448 tonnes |
| 1944 | -34.0% | 662,527 tonnes | 437,389 tonnes |
| 1945 | +32.6% | 437,389 tonnes | 579,948 tonnes |
| 1914 | -28.9% | 943,132 tonnes | 670,854 tonnes |
| 1940 | -28.9% | 1.05 million tonnes | 744,103 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 32,359 tonnes | 32,253 tonnes | 32,462 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 32,576 tonnes | 32,484 tonnes | 32,665 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 32,762 tonnes | 32,684 tonnes | 32,837 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 32,917 tonnes | 32,852 tonnes | 32,978 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 33,040 tonnes | 32,990 tonnes | 33,087 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 35,605 tonnes | 33,096 tonnes | 42,413 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 44,453 tonnes | 43,034 tonnes | 46,208 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 53,032 tonnes | 47,563 tonnes | 61,351 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 72,993 tonnes | 60,831 tonnes | 84,727 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 103,353 tonnes | 84,668 tonnes | 122,938 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 160,256 tonnes | 120,751 tonnes | 191,316 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 256,894 tonnes | 206,707 tonnes | 302,722 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 337,981 tonnes | 275,323 tonnes | 373,813 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 449,622 tonnes | 416,547 tonnes | 482,670 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 565,136 tonnes | 522,276 tonnes | 643,658 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 704,434 tonnes | 627,704 tonnes | 781,853 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 722,868 tonnes | 591,019 tonnes | 943,132 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 975,575 tonnes | 739,420 tonnes | 1.13 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 1.05 million tonnes | 949,315 tonnes | 1.15 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 760,062 tonnes | 437,389 tonnes | 1.11 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.30 million tonnes | 991,385 tonnes | 1.55 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.16 million tonnes | 1.71 million tonnes | 2.51 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.16 million tonnes | 2.59 million tonnes | 3.46 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.05 million tonnes | 1.39 million tonnes | 3.40 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.15 million tonnes | 871,889 tonnes | 1.52 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 608,423 tonnes | 425,312 tonnes | 774,562 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 275,383 tonnes | 189,943 tonnes | 398,045 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 106,128 tonnes | 102,305 tonnes | 109,631 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near France
More energy & mining data for France
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 0.2519 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 12.7% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in France was 102,305 tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 3.46 million tonnes in 1976.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 32,253 tonnes in 1750.
- How does France rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- France ranks 63rd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is an air pollutant formed from the burning of fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal. SO₂ is one of the main chemicals that forms acid rain.