Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India
India: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 11.28 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
11.28 million tonnes
Change on year
up 4.5%
World rank
1st
of 220 countries
All-time high
11.28 million tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
34,814 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India, 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 India stood at 11.28 million tonnes. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.5% on the previous year and up 32.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India peaked at 11.28 million tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 34,814 tonnes, in 1750.
India ranks 1st of 220 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 34,814 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 34,876 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 34,939 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 35,001 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 35,063 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 35,125 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 35,188 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 35,250 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 35,312 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 35,374 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 35,436 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 35,499 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 35,561 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 35,624 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 35,686 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 35,749 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 35,811 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 35,874 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 35,936 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 35,998 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 36,061 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 36,123 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 36,186 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 36,249 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 36,311 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 36,374 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 36,436 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 36,499 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 36,562 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 36,624 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 36,686 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 36,749 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 36,812 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 36,874 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 36,937 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 37,000 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 37,062 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 37,125 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 37,187 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 37,249 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 37,312 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 37,374 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 37,437 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 37,499 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 37,562 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 37,624 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 37,687 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 37,749 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 37,811 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 37,873 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 37,935 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 37,998 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 38,060 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 38,122 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 38,184 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 38,246 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 38,308 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 38,370 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1808 | 38,432 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1809 | 38,494 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1810 | 38,556 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1811 | 38,618 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1812 | 38,679 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1813 | 38,741 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1814 | 38,802 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1815 | 38,864 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1816 | 38,925 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1817 | 38,987 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1818 | 39,048 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1819 | 39,109 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1820 | 39,170 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1821 | 39,261 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1822 | 39,352 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1823 | 39,442 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1824 | 39,533 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1825 | 39,623 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1826 | 39,714 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1827 | 39,804 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1828 | 39,894 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1829 | 39,984 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1830 | 40,073 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1831 | 40,243 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1832 | 40,412 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1833 | 40,581 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1834 | 40,750 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1835 | 40,919 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1836 | 41,087 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1837 | 41,256 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1838 | 41,424 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1839 | 41,592 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1840 | 41,759 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1841 | 41,934 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1842 | 42,108 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1843 | 42,282 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1844 | 42,456 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1845 | 42,629 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1846 | 42,802 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1847 | 42,975 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1848 | 43,148 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1849 | 43,321 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1850 | 43,523 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1851 | 43,771 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1852 | 44,020 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1853 | 44,270 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1854 | 44,522 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1855 | 44,776 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1856 | 45,030 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1857 | 45,287 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1858 | 49,738 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1859 | 52,547 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1860 | 52,856 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1861 | 51,564 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1862 | 52,368 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1863 | 53,239 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1864 | 53,143 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1865 | 53,292 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1866 | 54,299 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1867 | 47,972 tonnes | -11.7% |
| 1868 | 48,248 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1869 | 48,525 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1870 | 50,958 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1871 | 51,063 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1872 | 51,169 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1873 | 51,274 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1874 | 51,380 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1875 | 51,486 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1876 | 51,592 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1877 | 51,699 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1878 | 69,233 tonnes | +33.9% |
| 1879 | 68,449 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1880 | 70,483 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1881 | 70,411 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1882 | 74,286 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1883 | 77,101 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1884 | 80,267 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1885 | 78,118 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1886 | 80,692 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1887 | 82,951 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1888 | 85,509 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1889 | 95,823 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1890 | 105,317 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1891 | 108,487 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1892 | 112,987 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1893 | 115,326 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1894 | 115,806 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1895 | 129,524 tonnes | +11.8% |
| 1896 | 135,004 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1897 | 141,088 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1898 | 149,410 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1899 | 158,065 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1900 | 175,802 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1901 | 196,821 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1902 | 220,473 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1903 | 232,641 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1904 | 262,518 tonnes | +12.8% |
| 1905 | 277,125 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1906 | 312,398 tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1907 | 344,286 tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1908 | 386,651 tonnes | +12.3% |
| 1909 | 375,194 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1910 | 372,219 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1911 | 379,895 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1912 | 416,751 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1913 | 441,161 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1914 | 433,305 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1915 | 437,845 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1916 | 441,670 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1917 | 458,681 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1918 | 507,170 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1919 | 546,530 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1920 | 455,293 tonnes | -16.7% |
| 1921 | 461,531 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1922 | 434,157 tonnes | -5.9% |
| 1923 | 423,190 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1924 | 424,799 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1925 | 398,549 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1926 | 390,737 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1927 | 401,210 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1928 | 378,669 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1929 | 386,081 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1930 | 383,660 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1931 | 356,764 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1932 | 335,211 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1933 | 326,945 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1934 | 351,991 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1935 | 360,101 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1936 | 350,705 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1937 | 371,602 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1938 | 399,452 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1939 | 389,297 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1940 | 401,726 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1941 | 420,512 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1942 | 437,359 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1943 | 410,274 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1944 | 431,324 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1945 | 480,431 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1946 | 460,974 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1947 | 440,393 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1948 | 424,752 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1949 | 427,316 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1950 | 459,924 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1951 | 473,383 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1952 | 484,367 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1953 | 482,000 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1954 | 504,580 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1955 | 544,245 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1956 | 560,208 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1957 | 612,977 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1958 | 634,312 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1959 | 663,794 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1960 | 712,191 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1961 | 759,935 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1962 | 833,045 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1963 | 893,040 tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1964 | 891,878 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1965 | 973,355 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1966 | 1.03 million tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1967 | 1.02 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1968 | 1.15 million tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1969 | 1.18 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 1.22 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1971 | 1.28 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1972 | 1.34 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1973 | 1.38 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1974 | 1.46 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1975 | 1.50 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1976 | 1.57 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1977 | 1.60 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1978 | 1.56 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1979 | 1.71 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1980 | 1.82 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1981 | 1.92 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1982 | 2.00 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 2.12 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1984 | 2.30 million tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1985 | 2.37 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1986 | 2.50 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 2.68 million tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1988 | 2.83 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1989 | 3.00 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1990 | 2.98 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1991 | 3.16 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1992 | 3.33 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1993 | 3.44 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 3.61 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1995 | 3.80 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1996 | 3.94 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1997 | 4.09 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1998 | 4.22 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1999 | 4.50 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 2000 | 4.51 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 4.67 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 4.86 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2003 | 5.10 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 2004 | 5.36 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 2005 | 5.74 million tonnes | +7.2% |
| 2006 | 6.50 million tonnes | +13.1% |
| 2007 | 6.98 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 2008 | 7.26 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 2009 | 7.58 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2010 | 7.96 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 2011 | 8.02 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 8.49 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 2013 | 8.77 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 9.69 million tonnes | +10.5% |
| 2015 | 10.00 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 10.17 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 10.82 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 2018 | 10.89 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 10.55 million tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2020 | 9.65 million tonnes | -8.5% |
| 2021 | 10.79 million tonnes | +11.8% |
| 2022 | 11.28 million tonnes | +4.5% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 11.28 million tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 27,967 tonnes, 403.5× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- India's 11.28 million tonnes is above the median for South Asia, which is 130,748 tonnes, 86.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1878 | +33.9% | 51,699 tonnes | 69,233 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 35,094 tonnes | 34,814 tonnes | 35,374 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 35,717 tonnes | 35,436 tonnes | 35,998 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 36,343 tonnes | 36,061 tonnes | 36,624 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 36,968 tonnes | 36,686 tonnes | 37,249 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 37,593 tonnes | 37,312 tonnes | 37,873 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 38,215 tonnes | 37,935 tonnes | 38,494 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 38,833 tonnes | 38,556 tonnes | 39,109 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 39,578 tonnes | 39,170 tonnes | 39,984 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 40,834 tonnes | 40,073 tonnes | 41,592 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 42,541 tonnes | 41,759 tonnes | 43,321 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 45,748 tonnes | 43,523 tonnes | 52,547 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 51,551 tonnes | 47,972 tonnes | 54,299 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 54,830 tonnes | 50,958 tonnes | 69,233 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 79,564 tonnes | 70,411 tonnes | 95,823 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 127,101 tonnes | 105,317 tonnes | 158,065 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 278,391 tonnes | 175,802 tonnes | 386,651 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 443,523 tonnes | 372,219 tonnes | 546,530 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 415,422 tonnes | 378,669 tonnes | 461,531 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 362,573 tonnes | 326,945 tonnes | 399,452 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 433,506 tonnes | 401,726 tonnes | 480,431 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 541,979 tonnes | 459,924 tonnes | 663,794 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 945,813 tonnes | 712,191 tonnes | 1.18 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.46 million tonnes | 1.22 million tonnes | 1.71 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.35 million tonnes | 1.82 million tonnes | 3.00 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.71 million tonnes | 2.98 million tonnes | 4.50 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.86 million tonnes | 4.51 million tonnes | 7.58 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.54 million tonnes | 7.96 million tonnes | 10.89 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.58 million tonnes | 9.65 million tonnes | 11.28 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near India
More energy & mining data for India
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 0.7224 % 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 (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 31.5% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in India was 11.28 million 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 11.28 million tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 34,814 tonnes in 1750.
- How does India rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- India ranks 1st out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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.