Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 3.46 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
3.46 million tonnes
Change on year
up 11.2%
World rank
5th
of 220 countries
All-time high
3.97 million tonnes
in 2016
All-time low
14.9 tonnes
in 1935
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Saudi Arabia, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 3.46 million tonnes for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 11.2% on the previous year and up 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Saudi Arabia peaked at 3.97 million tonnes in 2016 and was at its lowest, 14.9 tonnes, in 1935.
That places Saudi Arabia 5th out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 88.19 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 88.34 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 88.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 88.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 88.81 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 88.96 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 89.12 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 89.27 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 89.43 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 89.58 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 89.74 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 89.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 90.05 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 90.2 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 90.36 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 90.51 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 90.67 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 90.82 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 90.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 91.13 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 91.29 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 91.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 91.6 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 91.76 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 91.91 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 92.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 92.22 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 92.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 92.53 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 92.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 92.84 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 92.99 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 93.15 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 93.3 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 93.46 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 93.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 93.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 93.92 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 94.08 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 94.23 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 94.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 94.54 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 94.69 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 94.85 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 95.15 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 95.31 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 95.46 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 95.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 95.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 95.92 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 96.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 96.23 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 96.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 96.53 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 96.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 96.84 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 96.99 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1808 | 97.14 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1809 | 97.29 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1810 | 97.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1811 | 97.59 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1812 | 97.74 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1813 | 97.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1814 | 98.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1815 | 98.19 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1816 | 98.34 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1817 | 98.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1818 | 98.64 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1819 | 98.79 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1820 | 98.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1821 | 99.2 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1822 | 99.46 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1823 | 99.71 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1824 | 99.97 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1825 | 100.22 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1826 | 100.48 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1827 | 100.73 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1828 | 100.98 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1829 | 101.24 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1830 | 101.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1831 | 101.64 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1832 | 101.78 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1833 | 101.93 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1834 | 102.08 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1835 | 102.22 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 102.37 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1837 | 102.51 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1838 | 102.66 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1839 | 102.8 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1840 | 102.95 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1841 | 103.09 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1842 | 103.23 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1843 | 103.37 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1844 | 103.52 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1845 | 103.66 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1846 | 103.8 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1847 | 103.94 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1848 | 104.08 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1849 | 104.22 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1850 | 104.36 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1851 | 104.5 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1852 | 104.64 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 104.77 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 104.91 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 105.04 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 105.18 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 105.32 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 105.45 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 105.59 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 105.72 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 105.85 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1862 | 105.98 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1863 | 106.11 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1864 | 106.24 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1865 | 106.37 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1866 | 106.5 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1867 | 106.63 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1868 | 106.76 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1869 | 106.89 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1870 | 107.02 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1871 | 107.26 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1872 | 107.51 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1873 | 107.75 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1874 | 107.99 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1875 | 108.23 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1876 | 108.47 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1877 | 108.71 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1878 | 108.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1879 | 109.19 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1880 | 109.43 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1881 | 109.7 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1882 | 109.97 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1883 | 110.24 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1884 | 110.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1885 | 110.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1886 | 111.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1887 | 111.31 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1888 | 111.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1889 | 111.84 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1890 | 112.1 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1891 | 112.37 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1892 | 112.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1893 | 112.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1894 | 113.16 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1895 | 113.42 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1896 | 113.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1897 | 113.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1898 | 114.2 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1899 | 114.46 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1900 | 114.72 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1901 | 111.95 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1902 | 109.17 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1903 | 106.39 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1904 | 103.61 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1905 | 100.81 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1906 | 98.02 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1907 | 95.21 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1908 | 92.41 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1909 | 89.59 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1910 | 86.78 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1911 | 83.9 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1912 | 81.02 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1913 | 78.14 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1914 | 75.27 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1915 | 72.39 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1916 | 69.51 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1917 | 66.63 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1918 | 63.75 tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1919 | 60.86 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1920 | 57.98 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1921 | 55.21 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1922 | 52.42 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1923 | 49.61 tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1924 | 46.79 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1925 | 43.96 tonnes | -6.1% |
| 1926 | 41.11 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1927 | 38.25 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1928 | 35.37 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1929 | 32.49 tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1930 | 29.58 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 1931 | 26.67 tonnes | -9.8% |
| 1932 | 23.75 tonnes | -11.0% |
| 1933 | 20.81 tonnes | -12.4% |
| 1934 | 17.86 tonnes | -14.2% |
| 1935 | 14.9 tonnes | -16.6% |
| 1936 | 45.58 tonnes | +206.0% |
| 1937 | 127.59 tonnes | +179.9% |
| 1938 | 958.04 tonnes | +650.9% |
| 1939 | 7,674 tonnes | +701.0% |
| 1940 | 9,974 tonnes | +30.0% |
| 1941 | 8,412 tonnes | -15.7% |
| 1942 | 8,841 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1943 | 9,271 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1944 | 15,172 tonnes | +63.7% |
| 1945 | 41,012 tonnes | +170.3% |
| 1946 | 117,113 tonnes | +185.6% |
| 1947 | 104,580 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1948 | 94,171 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 1949 | 99,479 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1950 | 44,550 tonnes | -55.2% |
| 1951 | 46,101 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1952 | 41,878 tonnes | -9.2% |
| 1953 | 35,822 tonnes | -14.5% |
| 1954 | 43,751 tonnes | +22.1% |
| 1955 | 48,307 tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1956 | 47,370 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1957 | 50,329 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1958 | 51,491 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1959 | 54,495 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1960 | 64,741 tonnes | +18.8% |
| 1961 | 75,800 tonnes | +17.1% |
| 1962 | 94,156 tonnes | +24.2% |
| 1963 | 103,592 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1964 | 104,196 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 101,322 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1966 | 126,586 tonnes | +24.9% |
| 1967 | 140,515 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1968 | 156,108 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1969 | 175,302 tonnes | +12.3% |
| 1970 | 312,217 tonnes | +78.1% |
| 1971 | 1.07 million tonnes | +242.4% |
| 1972 | 1.12 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1973 | 1.16 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1974 | 1.17 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 847,160 tonnes | -27.8% |
| 1976 | 932,773 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1977 | 983,586 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1978 | 936,378 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1979 | 1.13 million tonnes | +20.4% |
| 1980 | 1.18 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1981 | 1.20 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1982 | 1.32 million tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1983 | 1.44 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1984 | 1.23 million tonnes | -15.1% |
| 1985 | 1.50 million tonnes | +22.5% |
| 1986 | 1.48 million tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1987 | 1.54 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1988 | 1.59 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1989 | 1.36 million tonnes | -14.3% |
| 1990 | 1.42 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1991 | 1.48 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 1.63 million tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1993 | 1.66 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1994 | 1.73 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 1.75 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 1.92 million tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1997 | 1.83 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1998 | 2.00 million tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1999 | 2.08 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 2000 | 2.09 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 2.03 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 2.04 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 2.18 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 2004 | 2.29 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 2005 | 2.34 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 2.52 million tonnes | +7.8% |
| 2007 | 2.49 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2008 | 2.73 million tonnes | +9.5% |
| 2009 | 2.95 million tonnes | +8.3% |
| 2010 | 3.37 million tonnes | +14.2% |
| 2011 | 3.29 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2012 | 3.36 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 3.38 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 3.45 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 3.77 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 2016 | 3.97 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 3.80 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 2018 | 3.41 million tonnes | -10.3% |
| 2019 | 3.25 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2020 | 2.92 million tonnes | -10.2% |
| 2021 | 3.11 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 2022 | 3.46 million tonnes | +11.2% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 3.46 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 26,427 tonnes, 130.9× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 3.46 million tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 108,993 tonnes, 31.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Saudi Arabia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | +701.0% | 958.04 tonnes | 7,674 tonnes |
| 1938 | +650.9% | 127.59 tonnes | 958.04 tonnes |
| 1971 | +242.4% | 312,217 tonnes | 1.07 million tonnes |
| 1936 | +206.0% | 14.9 tonnes | 45.58 tonnes |
| 1946 | +185.6% | 41,012 tonnes | 117,113 tonnes |
| 1937 | +179.9% | 45.58 tonnes | 127.59 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 88.89 tonnes | 88.19 tonnes | 89.58 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 90.44 tonnes | 89.74 tonnes | 91.13 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 91.99 tonnes | 91.29 tonnes | 92.68 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 93.54 tonnes | 92.84 tonnes | 94.23 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 95.08 tonnes | 94.38 tonnes | 95.77 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 96.61 tonnes | 95.92 tonnes | 97.29 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 98.12 tonnes | 97.44 tonnes | 98.79 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 100.09 tonnes | 98.94 tonnes | 101.24 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 102.15 tonnes | 101.49 tonnes | 102.8 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 103.59 tonnes | 102.95 tonnes | 104.22 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 104.97 tonnes | 104.36 tonnes | 105.59 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 106.31 tonnes | 105.72 tonnes | 106.89 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 108.11 tonnes | 107.02 tonnes | 109.19 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 110.64 tonnes | 109.43 tonnes | 111.84 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 113.29 tonnes | 112.1 tonnes | 114.46 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 102.19 tonnes | 89.59 tonnes | 114.72 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 73.82 tonnes | 60.86 tonnes | 86.78 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 45.32 tonnes | 32.49 tonnes | 57.98 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 893.84 tonnes | 14.9 tonnes | 7,674 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 50,803 tonnes | 8,412 tonnes | 117,113 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 46,409 tonnes | 35,822 tonnes | 54,495 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 114,232 tonnes | 64,741 tonnes | 175,302 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 965,716 tonnes | 312,217 tonnes | 1.17 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.38 million tonnes | 1.18 million tonnes | 1.59 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.75 million tonnes | 1.42 million tonnes | 2.08 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.37 million tonnes | 2.03 million tonnes | 2.95 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.50 million tonnes | 3.25 million tonnes | 3.97 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.16 million tonnes | 2.92 million tonnes | 3.46 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More energy & mining data for Saudi Arabia
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 1.85 % 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 0.0001 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 5.7% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Saudi Arabia?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Saudi Arabia was 3.46 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 3.97 million tonnes in 2016.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.9 tonnes in 1935.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 5th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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.