Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea
North Korea: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 185,582 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
185,582 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
42nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
349,573 tonnes
in 1977
All-time low
185.84 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea is 185,582 tonnes, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and down 11.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea peaked at 349,573 tonnes in 1977 and was at its lowest, 185.84 tonnes, in 1750.
That places North Korea 42nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 185.84 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 185.94 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1752 | 186.03 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1753 | 186.12 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1754 | 186.22 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 186.31 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1756 | 186.4 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 186.5 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 186.59 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 186.68 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 186.77 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 186.86 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 186.94 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 187.03 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 187.11 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 187.2 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 187.28 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 187.36 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 187.45 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 187.53 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 187.61 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 187.69 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 187.76 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 187.84 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 187.91 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 187.99 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 188.06 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 188.13 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 188.21 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 188.28 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 188.35 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 188.41 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 188.48 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 188.54 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 188.6 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 188.66 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 188.73 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 188.79 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 188.85 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 188.91 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 188.97 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 189.02 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 189.07 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 189.12 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 189.17 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 189.22 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 189.27 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 189.32 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 189.37 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 189.42 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 189.46 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 189.5 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 189.54 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 189.57 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 189.61 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 189.64 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 189.68 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 189.71 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 189.74 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 189.78 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 189.81 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 189.83 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 189.85 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 189.87 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 189.89 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 189.91 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 189.92 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 189.94 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 189.96 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 189.98 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 189.99 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 190.03 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 190.06 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 190.1 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 190.13 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 190.17 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 190.2 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 190.24 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 190.27 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 190.3 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 190.33 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 190.16 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1832 | 189.99 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1833 | 189.82 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1834 | 189.64 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1835 | 189.47 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1836 | 189.3 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1837 | 189.12 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1838 | 188.95 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1839 | 188.78 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1840 | 188.6 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1841 | 188.41 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1842 | 188.22 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1843 | 188.03 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1844 | 187.83 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1845 | 187.64 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1846 | 187.44 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1847 | 187.25 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1848 | 187.06 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1849 | 186.86 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1850 | 186.67 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1851 | 186.66 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1852 | 186.65 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1853 | 186.63 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1854 | 186.62 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1855 | 186.61 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1856 | 186.6 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1857 | 186.59 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1858 | 186.58 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1859 | 186.57 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1860 | 186.56 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1861 | 186.54 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1862 | 186.51 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1863 | 186.49 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1864 | 186.47 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1865 | 186.44 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1866 | 186.42 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1867 | 186.4 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1868 | 186.37 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1869 | 186.35 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1870 | 186.33 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1871 | 186.9 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1872 | 187.48 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1873 | 188.06 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1874 | 188.64 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1875 | 189.22 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1876 | 189.81 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1877 | 190.4 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1878 | 190.99 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1879 | 191.59 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1880 | 192.19 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1881 | 191.88 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1882 | 191.57 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1883 | 191.27 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1884 | 190.96 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1885 | 190.66 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1886 | 190.35 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1887 | 190.05 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1888 | 189.75 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1889 | 189.44 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1890 | 189.15 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1891 | 188.83 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1892 | 188.51 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1893 | 188.2 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1894 | 187.88 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1895 | 187.57 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1896 | 187.26 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1897 | 186.95 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1898 | 186.64 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1899 | 186.33 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1900 | 186.02 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1901 | 189.18 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1902 | 192.36 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1903 | 195.55 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1904 | 198.76 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1905 | 356.75 tonnes | +79.5% |
| 1906 | 205.21 tonnes | -42.5% |
| 1907 | 208.45 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1908 | 211.71 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1909 | 1,831 tonnes | +764.7% |
| 1910 | 2,232 tonnes | +21.9% |
| 1911 | 2,580 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1912 | 3,138 tonnes | +21.6% |
| 1913 | 3,576 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1914 | 4,966 tonnes | +38.9% |
| 1915 | 6,079 tonnes | +22.4% |
| 1916 | 5,044 tonnes | -17.0% |
| 1917 | 246.11 tonnes | -95.1% |
| 1918 | 4,880 tonnes | +1883.0% |
| 1919 | 5,677 tonnes | +16.3% |
| 1920 | 7,221 tonnes | +27.2% |
| 1921 | 7,699 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1922 | 7,809 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1923 | 9,215 tonnes | +18.0% |
| 1924 | 9,599 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1925 | 15,017 tonnes | +56.4% |
| 1926 | 15,976 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1927 | 16,414 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1928 | 18,710 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1929 | 21,273 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1930 | 19,908 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1931 | 20,860 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1932 | 24,274 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 1933 | 28,265 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 1934 | 36,213 tonnes | +28.1% |
| 1935 | 41,294 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1936 | 47,784 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1937 | 50,357 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1938 | 69,941 tonnes | +38.9% |
| 1939 | 85,687 tonnes | +22.5% |
| 1940 | 114,694 tonnes | +33.9% |
| 1941 | 116,655 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1942 | 122,862 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1943 | 111,897 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 1944 | 113,175 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1945 | 338.44 tonnes | -99.7% |
| 1946 | 915.57 tonnes | +170.5% |
| 1947 | 1,236 tonnes | +35.0% |
| 1948 | 14,606 tonnes | +1081.5% |
| 1949 | 18,269 tonnes | +25.1% |
| 1950 | 7,287 tonnes | -60.1% |
| 1951 | 9,062 tonnes | +24.4% |
| 1952 | 7,294 tonnes | -19.5% |
| 1953 | 13,652 tonnes | +87.2% |
| 1954 | 29,379 tonnes | +115.2% |
| 1955 | 42,901 tonnes | +46.0% |
| 1956 | 49,536 tonnes | +15.5% |
| 1957 | 63,785 tonnes | +28.8% |
| 1958 | 84,498 tonnes | +32.5% |
| 1959 | 108,532 tonnes | +28.4% |
| 1960 | 127,723 tonnes | +17.7% |
| 1961 | 143,789 tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1962 | 155,389 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1963 | 161,988 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1964 | 149,686 tonnes | -7.6% |
| 1965 | 166,981 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1966 | 183,336 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1967 | 197,910 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1968 | 214,366 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1969 | 225,103 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1970 | 252,018 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1971 | 258,860 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1972 | 283,135 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1973 | 291,045 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1974 | 309,446 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1975 | 326,600 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1976 | 344,892 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1977 | 349,573 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1978 | 247,191 tonnes | -29.3% |
| 1979 | 265,686 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1980 | 268,197 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1981 | 275,963 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1982 | 290,052 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1983 | 299,988 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1984 | 324,348 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1985 | 328,062 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1986 | 333,115 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 319,503 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1988 | 323,894 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1989 | 314,788 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1990 | 304,076 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1991 | 285,170 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1992 | 267,436 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1993 | 253,952 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1994 | 236,435 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1995 | 233,496 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1996 | 225,615 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1997 | 223,830 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 217,763 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1999 | 236,291 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 2000 | 250,202 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 2001 | 258,451 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 249,613 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 2003 | 253,145 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 259,670 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 270,853 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 271,704 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 243,730 tonnes | -10.3% |
| 2008 | 261,620 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 2009 | 252,487 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 2010 | 242,758 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2011 | 209,709 tonnes | -13.6% |
| 2012 | 210,614 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 183,958 tonnes | -12.7% |
| 2014 | 194,767 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 2015 | 178,269 tonnes | -8.5% |
| 2016 | 189,882 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 2017 | 235,687 tonnes | +24.1% |
| 2018 | 218,248 tonnes | -7.4% |
| 2019 | 224,642 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 209,976 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 2021 | 185,039 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 2022 | 185,582 tonnes | +0.3% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 185,582 tonnes is above the median for low income countries, which is 10,657 tonnes, 17.4× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 185,582 tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 63,332 tonnes, 2.9× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | +1883.0% | 246.11 tonnes | 4,880 tonnes |
| 1948 | +1081.5% | 1,236 tonnes | 14,606 tonnes |
| 1909 | +764.7% | 211.71 tonnes | 1,831 tonnes |
| 1946 | +170.5% | 338.44 tonnes | 915.57 tonnes |
| 1954 | +115.2% | 13,652 tonnes | 29,379 tonnes |
| 1945 | -99.7% | 113,175 tonnes | 338.44 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 186.26 tonnes | 185.84 tonnes | 186.68 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 187.15 tonnes | 186.77 tonnes | 187.53 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 187.95 tonnes | 187.61 tonnes | 188.28 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 188.63 tonnes | 188.35 tonnes | 188.91 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 189.2 tonnes | 188.97 tonnes | 189.42 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 189.62 tonnes | 189.46 tonnes | 189.78 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 189.9 tonnes | 189.81 tonnes | 189.98 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 190.15 tonnes | 189.99 tonnes | 190.3 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 189.56 tonnes | 188.78 tonnes | 190.33 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 187.73 tonnes | 186.86 tonnes | 188.6 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 186.62 tonnes | 186.57 tonnes | 186.67 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 186.45 tonnes | 186.35 tonnes | 186.56 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 188.94 tonnes | 186.33 tonnes | 191.59 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 190.81 tonnes | 189.44 tonnes | 192.19 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 187.73 tonnes | 186.33 tonnes | 189.15 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 377.46 tonnes | 186.02 tonnes | 1,831 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 3,842 tonnes | 246.11 tonnes | 6,079 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 12,893 tonnes | 7,221 tonnes | 21,273 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 42,458 tonnes | 19,908 tonnes | 85,687 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 61,465 tonnes | 338.44 tonnes | 122,862 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 41,592 tonnes | 7,287 tonnes | 108,532 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 172,627 tonnes | 127,723 tonnes | 225,103 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 292,845 tonnes | 247,191 tonnes | 349,573 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 307,791 tonnes | 268,197 tonnes | 333,115 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 248,406 tonnes | 217,763 tonnes | 304,076 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 257,148 tonnes | 243,730 tonnes | 271,704 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 208,853 tonnes | 178,269 tonnes | 242,758 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 193,532 tonnes | 185,039 tonnes | 209,976 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More energy & mining data for North Korea
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 4.56 % change on previous year (2024)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Gas production 0 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 0 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 0 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in North Korea was 185,582 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 North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 349,573 tonnes in 1977.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 185.84 tonnes in 1750.
- How does North Korea rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- North Korea ranks 42nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea 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.