Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland
Iceland: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 13,139 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
13,139 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
135th
of 220 countries
All-time high
43,513 tonnes
in 1968
All-time low
47.79 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland stood at 13,139 tonnes.
The figure is up 0.6% on the previous year and down 29.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland peaked at 43,513 tonnes in 1968 and was at its lowest, 47.79 tonnes, in 1750.
Iceland ranks 135th 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 Iceland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 47.79 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 47.9 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 48.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 48.11 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 48.22 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 48.32 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 48.42 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 48.52 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 48.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 48.71 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 48.8 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 48.91 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 49.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 49.11 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 49.21 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 49.31 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 49.41 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 49.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 49.59 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 49.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 49.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 49.87 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 49.97 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 50.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 50.17 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 50.26 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 50.35 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 50.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 50.53 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 50.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 50.7 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 50.79 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 50.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 50.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 51.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 51.16 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 51.24 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 51.32 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 51.41 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 51.48 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 51.56 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1791 | 51.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 51.74 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 51.83 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 51.91 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 51.99 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 52.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 52.14 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1798 | 52.22 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1799 | 52.29 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1800 | 52.36 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1801 | 52.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 52.52 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 52.6 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1804 | 52.68 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1805 | 52.75 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1806 | 52.82 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1807 | 52.89 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1808 | 52.96 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 53.02 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 53.08 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 53.46 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1812 | 53.84 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1813 | 54.21 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1814 | 54.57 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1815 | 54.93 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1816 | 55.29 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1817 | 55.64 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1818 | 55.98 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1819 | 56.32 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1820 | 56.65 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1821 | 57.05 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1822 | 57.44 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1823 | 57.82 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1824 | 58.2 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1825 | 58.57 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1826 | 58.94 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1827 | 59.3 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1828 | 59.65 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1829 | 60 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1830 | 60.34 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1831 | 60.75 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1832 | 61.15 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1833 | 61.55 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1834 | 61.94 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 62.32 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1836 | 62.69 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 63.06 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 63.43 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 63.78 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 64.13 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1841 | 64.55 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1842 | 64.96 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1843 | 65.37 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1844 | 65.76 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1845 | 66.15 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 66.54 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 66.91 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 67.28 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1849 | 67.64 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1850 | 68 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1851 | 69.1 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1852 | 70.19 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1853 | 71.27 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1854 | 72.34 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1855 | 73.38 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 73.23 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1857 | 73.04 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1858 | 72.82 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1859 | 73.52 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1860 | 74.2 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1861 | 74.01 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1862 | 73.78 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1863 | 73.52 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1864 | 73.23 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1865 | 72.8 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1866 | 72.34 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1867 | 71.86 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1868 | 71.35 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1869 | 71.27 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1870 | 71.17 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1871 | 70.74 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1872 | 70.3 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1873 | 69.82 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1874 | 69.32 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1875 | 68.7 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1876 | 68.05 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1877 | 67.39 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1878 | 66.7 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1879 | 65.98 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1880 | 65.23 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1881 | 64.04 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1882 | 62.85 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1883 | 61.66 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1884 | 60.47 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1885 | 59.28 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1886 | 57.95 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1887 | 56.63 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1888 | 55.31 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1889 | 54.02 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1890 | 54.45 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1891 | 54.03 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1892 | 53.61 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1893 | 53.16 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1894 | 52.71 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1895 | 52.25 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1896 | 52.26 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 52.27 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1898 | 52.26 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1899 | 52.25 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1900 | 52.23 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1901 | 52.21 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1902 | 52.17 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1903 | 52.12 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1904 | 51.48 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1905 | 51.41 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1906 | 51.7 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1907 | 55.87 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1908 | 58.08 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1909 | 60.39 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1910 | 61.98 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1911 | 62.94 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1912 | 63.27 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1913 | 63.96 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1914 | 64.94 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1915 | 65.91 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1916 | 69.73 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1917 | 73.42 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1918 | 77.5 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1919 | 81.12 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1920 | 85.8 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1921 | 94.22 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1922 | 101.96 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1923 | 110.48 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1924 | 119.05 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1925 | 127.44 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1926 | 131.67 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1927 | 135.94 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1928 | 140.13 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1929 | 144.73 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1930 | 149.4 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 153.25 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1932 | 157.11 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1933 | 160.98 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1934 | 165.16 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1935 | 168.97 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1936 | 3,140 tonnes | +1758.3% |
| 1937 | 2,694 tonnes | -14.2% |
| 1938 | 294.93 tonnes | -89.1% |
| 1939 | 336.89 tonnes | +14.2% |
| 1940 | 4,772 tonnes | +1316.5% |
| 1941 | 3,688 tonnes | -22.7% |
| 1942 | 271.03 tonnes | -92.7% |
| 1943 | 2,542 tonnes | +838.1% |
| 1944 | 2,450 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1945 | 1,908 tonnes | -22.1% |
| 1946 | 1,365 tonnes | -28.5% |
| 1947 | 537.27 tonnes | -60.6% |
| 1948 | 532.61 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1949 | 532.27 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1950 | 28,146 tonnes | +5187.9% |
| 1951 | 23,160 tonnes | -17.7% |
| 1952 | 25,296 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1953 | 27,193 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1954 | 24,275 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1955 | 30,968 tonnes | +27.6% |
| 1956 | 29,803 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1957 | 29,718 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1958 | 32,706 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1959 | 36,617 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1960 | 36,228 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1961 | 37,486 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1962 | 35,750 tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1963 | 36,586 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1964 | 38,086 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1965 | 39,916 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1966 | 41,694 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1967 | 41,844 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1968 | 43,513 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1969 | 42,571 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1970 | 42,716 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1971 | 42,817 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1972 | 42,493 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1973 | 43,206 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1974 | 39,354 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 1975 | 34,315 tonnes | -12.8% |
| 1976 | 30,946 tonnes | -9.8% |
| 1977 | 29,449 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1978 | 28,863 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1979 | 27,795 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1980 | 24,867 tonnes | -10.5% |
| 1981 | 22,888 tonnes | -8.0% |
| 1982 | 17,331 tonnes | -24.3% |
| 1983 | 15,668 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 1984 | 14,583 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1985 | 12,761 tonnes | -12.5% |
| 1986 | 11,706 tonnes | -8.3% |
| 1987 | 10,985 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1988 | 11,373 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 11,679 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 10,494 tonnes | -10.2% |
| 1991 | 9,499 tonnes | -9.5% |
| 1992 | 10,853 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1993 | 11,495 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1994 | 11,299 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1995 | 11,466 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1996 | 11,515 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1997 | 12,002 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1998 | 11,914 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1999 | 11,207 tonnes | -5.9% |
| 2000 | 10,166 tonnes | -9.3% |
| 2001 | 10,033 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2002 | 10,407 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 2003 | 10,086 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2004 | 9,451 tonnes | -6.3% |
| 2005 | 10,427 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 2006 | 9,904 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 2007 | 13,878 tonnes | +40.1% |
| 2008 | 17,030 tonnes | +22.7% |
| 2009 | 17,128 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 17,277 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 18,382 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 2012 | 18,522 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 18,120 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2014 | 16,820 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2015 | 16,879 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 15,384 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2017 | 16,881 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 2018 | 16,982 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 15,585 tonnes | -8.2% |
| 2020 | 12,340 tonnes | -20.8% |
| 2021 | 13,057 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 2022 | 13,139 tonnes | +0.6% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 13,139 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 26,427 tonnes, 50% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 13,139 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 40,466 tonnes, 32% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | +5187.9% | 532.27 tonnes | 28,146 tonnes |
| 1936 | +1758.3% | 168.97 tonnes | 3,140 tonnes |
| 1940 | +1316.5% | 336.89 tonnes | 4,772 tonnes |
| 1943 | +838.1% | 271.03 tonnes | 2,542 tonnes |
| 1942 | -92.7% | 3,688 tonnes | 271.03 tonnes |
| 1938 | -89.1% | 2,694 tonnes | 294.93 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 48.26 tonnes | 47.79 tonnes | 48.71 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 49.25 tonnes | 48.8 tonnes | 49.68 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 50.21 tonnes | 49.77 tonnes | 50.61 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 51.1 tonnes | 50.7 tonnes | 51.48 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 51.94 tonnes | 51.56 tonnes | 52.29 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 52.71 tonnes | 52.36 tonnes | 53.02 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 54.73 tonnes | 53.08 tonnes | 56.32 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 58.36 tonnes | 56.65 tonnes | 60 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 62.1 tonnes | 60.34 tonnes | 63.78 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 65.93 tonnes | 64.13 tonnes | 67.64 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 71.69 tonnes | 68 tonnes | 73.52 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 72.84 tonnes | 71.27 tonnes | 74.2 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 68.82 tonnes | 65.98 tonnes | 71.17 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 59.74 tonnes | 54.02 tonnes | 65.23 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 52.92 tonnes | 52.25 tonnes | 54.45 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 53.77 tonnes | 51.41 tonnes | 60.39 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 68.48 tonnes | 61.98 tonnes | 81.12 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 119.14 tonnes | 85.8 tonnes | 144.73 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 742.02 tonnes | 149.4 tonnes | 3,140 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 1,860 tonnes | 271.03 tonnes | 4,772 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 28,788 tonnes | 23,160 tonnes | 36,617 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 39,367 tonnes | 35,750 tonnes | 43,513 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 36,195 tonnes | 27,795 tonnes | 43,206 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 15,384 tonnes | 10,985 tonnes | 24,867 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 11,174 tonnes | 9,499 tonnes | 12,002 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 11,851 tonnes | 9,451 tonnes | 17,128 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 17,083 tonnes | 15,384 tonnes | 18,522 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 12,845 tonnes | 12,340 tonnes | 13,139 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More energy & mining data for Iceland
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -4.9 % 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 0.0002 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 (2024)
- Fuel imports 9.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Iceland was 13,139 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 Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 43,513 tonnes in 1968.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.79 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Iceland rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Iceland ranks 135th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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.