Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 171,105 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
171,105 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.9%
World rank
45th
of 220 countries
All-time high
201,531 tonnes
in 2019
All-time low
261.79 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Sri Lanka, 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 Sri Lanka is 171,105 tonnes, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 0.9% on the previous year and down 0.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Sri Lanka peaked at 201,531 tonnes in 2019 and was at its lowest, 261.79 tonnes, in 1750.
Sri Lanka ranks 45th of 220 countries on this measure, 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 Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 261.79 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 262.22 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 262.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 263.08 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 263.51 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 263.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 264.37 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 264.8 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 265.23 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 265.66 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 266.09 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 266.52 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 266.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 267.39 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 267.82 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 268.25 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 268.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 269.11 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 269.55 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 269.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 270.41 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 270.84 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 271.27 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 271.71 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 272.14 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 272.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 273.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 273.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 273.87 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 274.3 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 274.74 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 275.17 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 275.6 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 276.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 276.47 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 276.9 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 277.34 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 277.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 278.2 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 278.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 279.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 279.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 279.93 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 280.37 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 280.8 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 281.23 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 281.66 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 282.1 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 282.53 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 282.96 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 283.39 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 283.82 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 284.25 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 284.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 285.11 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 285.55 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 285.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 286.4 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1808 | 286.83 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1809 | 287.26 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 287.69 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 288.12 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 288.55 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 288.98 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 289.41 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 289.84 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1816 | 290.26 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1817 | 290.69 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1818 | 291.12 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 291.54 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1820 | 291.97 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1821 | 296.81 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1822 | 301.64 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1823 | 306.47 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1824 | 311.3 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1825 | 316.12 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1826 | 320.94 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1827 | 325.75 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1828 | 330.57 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1829 | 335.37 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1830 | 340.18 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1831 | 348.53 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1832 | 356.88 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1833 | 365.21 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1834 | 373.54 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1835 | 381.87 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1836 | 390.18 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1837 | 398.49 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1838 | 406.79 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1839 | 415.09 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1840 | 423.38 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1841 | 433.75 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1842 | 444.12 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1843 | 454.48 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1844 | 464.82 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1845 | 475.16 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1846 | 485.49 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1847 | 495.8 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1848 | 506.11 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1849 | 516.41 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1850 | 524.46 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1851 | 400.93 tonnes | -23.6% |
| 1852 | 408.5 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1853 | 416.17 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1854 | 423.93 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1855 | 427.03 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1856 | 430.46 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1857 | 433.9 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1858 | 445.84 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1859 | 458.05 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1860 | 470.52 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1861 | 483.63 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1862 | 495.27 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1863 | 507.12 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1864 | 519.18 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1865 | 524.72 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1866 | 530.71 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1867 | 536.73 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1868 | 584.19 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1869 | 636.1 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1870 | 692.89 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1871 | 699.26 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1872 | 703.08 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1873 | 706.69 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1874 | 710.51 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1875 | 714.54 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1876 | 721.24 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1877 | 727.95 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1878 | 734.86 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1879 | 741.78 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1880 | 748.7 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1881 | 754.94 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1882 | 762.47 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1883 | 771.06 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1884 | 780.29 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1885 | 787.17 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1886 | 799.24 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1887 | 811.94 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1888 | 827.41 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1889 | 845 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1890 | 858.77 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1891 | 875.46 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1892 | 893.22 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1893 | 908.43 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1894 | 924.92 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1895 | 937.57 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1896 | 961.23 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1897 | 983.18 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1898 | 1,007 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1899 | 1,028 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1900 | 1,045 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1901 | 1,073 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1902 | 1,083 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1903 | 1,104 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1904 | 1,122 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1905 | 1,156 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1906 | 1,178 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1907 | 1,185 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1908 | 1,201 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1909 | 1,221 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1910 | 1,244 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1911 | 1,263 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1912 | 1,270 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1913 | 1,277 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1914 | 1,284 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1915 | 1,299 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1916 | 1,316 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1917 | 1,334 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1918 | 1,352 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1919 | 1,370 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1920 | 1,388 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1921 | 1,421 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1922 | 1,457 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1923 | 1,492 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1924 | 1,520 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1925 | 1,555 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1926 | 1,585 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1927 | 1,616 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1928 | 1,668 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1929 | 1,678 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1930 | 1,708 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1931 | 1,732 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1932 | 1,755 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1933 | 1,778 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1934 | 1,804 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1935 | 1,825 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1936 | 1,856 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1937 | 1,892 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1938 | 1,931 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1939 | 1,968 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1940 | 2,004 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1941 | 2,041 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1942 | 2,076 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1943 | 2,131 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1944 | 2,196 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1945 | 2,275 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1946 | 2,365 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1947 | 2,452 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1948 | 2,544 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1949 | 2,638 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1950 | 16,804 tonnes | +536.9% |
| 1951 | 16,523 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1952 | 19,291 tonnes | +16.8% |
| 1953 | 20,144 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1954 | 17,997 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1955 | 17,387 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1956 | 15,872 tonnes | -8.7% |
| 1957 | 23,141 tonnes | +45.8% |
| 1958 | 19,823 tonnes | -14.3% |
| 1959 | 20,669 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1960 | 22,289 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1961 | 23,041 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1962 | 24,634 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1963 | 24,179 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1964 | 22,298 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1965 | 25,526 tonnes | +14.5% |
| 1966 | 25,755 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1967 | 28,469 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1968 | 31,066 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1969 | 38,515 tonnes | +24.0% |
| 1970 | 33,181 tonnes | -13.9% |
| 1971 | 45,673 tonnes | +37.6% |
| 1972 | 53,610 tonnes | +17.4% |
| 1973 | 60,526 tonnes | +12.9% |
| 1974 | 48,520 tonnes | -19.8% |
| 1975 | 49,161 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1976 | 46,689 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1977 | 50,218 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1978 | 47,836 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1979 | 53,661 tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1980 | 53,984 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1981 | 48,386 tonnes | -10.4% |
| 1982 | 53,594 tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1983 | 53,211 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1984 | 54,234 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 44,820 tonnes | -17.4% |
| 1986 | 47,516 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1987 | 54,339 tonnes | +14.4% |
| 1988 | 52,152 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1989 | 49,202 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1990 | 54,190 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1991 | 52,123 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1992 | 63,282 tonnes | +21.4% |
| 1993 | 65,600 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 66,003 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 58,696 tonnes | -11.1% |
| 1996 | 88,421 tonnes | +50.6% |
| 1997 | 83,172 tonnes | -5.9% |
| 1998 | 94,285 tonnes | +13.4% |
| 1999 | 97,221 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2000 | 113,151 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 2001 | 110,243 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2002 | 113,391 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2003 | 123,770 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 2004 | 127,956 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2005 | 146,271 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 2006 | 121,967 tonnes | -16.6% |
| 2007 | 130,609 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2008 | 126,891 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 2009 | 125,831 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 129,209 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 155,980 tonnes | +20.7% |
| 2012 | 172,605 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 2013 | 130,818 tonnes | -24.2% |
| 2014 | 165,956 tonnes | +26.9% |
| 2015 | 160,397 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 2016 | 194,311 tonnes | +21.1% |
| 2017 | 198,230 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 188,859 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2019 | 201,531 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 2020 | 179,730 tonnes | -10.8% |
| 2021 | 169,536 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 2022 | 171,105 tonnes | +0.9% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 171,105 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 75,907 tonnes, 2.3× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 171,105 tonnes is above the median for South Asia, which is 130,748 tonnes, 1.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Sri Lanka 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 | +536.9% | 2,638 tonnes | 16,804 tonnes |
| 1996 | +50.6% | 58,696 tonnes | 88,421 tonnes |
| 1957 | +45.8% | 15,872 tonnes | 23,141 tonnes |
| 1971 | +37.6% | 33,181 tonnes | 45,673 tonnes |
| 2014 | +26.9% | 130,818 tonnes | 165,956 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 263.72 tonnes | 261.79 tonnes | 265.66 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 268.03 tonnes | 266.09 tonnes | 269.98 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 272.36 tonnes | 270.41 tonnes | 274.3 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 276.69 tonnes | 274.74 tonnes | 278.63 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 281.01 tonnes | 279.07 tonnes | 282.96 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 285.33 tonnes | 283.39 tonnes | 287.26 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 289.62 tonnes | 287.69 tonnes | 291.54 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 313.69 tonnes | 291.97 tonnes | 335.37 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 377.68 tonnes | 340.18 tonnes | 415.09 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 469.95 tonnes | 423.38 tonnes | 516.41 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 436.93 tonnes | 400.93 tonnes | 524.46 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 528.82 tonnes | 470.52 tonnes | 636.1 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 715.28 tonnes | 692.89 tonnes | 741.78 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 788.82 tonnes | 748.7 tonnes | 845 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 937.78 tonnes | 858.77 tonnes | 1,028 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 1,137 tonnes | 1,045 tonnes | 1,221 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 1,301 tonnes | 1,244 tonnes | 1,370 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 1,538 tonnes | 1,388 tonnes | 1,678 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 1,825 tonnes | 1,708 tonnes | 1,968 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 2,272 tonnes | 2,004 tonnes | 2,638 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 18,765 tonnes | 15,872 tonnes | 23,141 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 26,577 tonnes | 22,289 tonnes | 38,515 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 48,908 tonnes | 33,181 tonnes | 60,526 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 51,144 tonnes | 44,820 tonnes | 54,339 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 72,299 tonnes | 52,123 tonnes | 97,221 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 124,008 tonnes | 110,243 tonnes | 146,271 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 169,790 tonnes | 129,209 tonnes | 201,531 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 173,457 tonnes | 169,536 tonnes | 179,730 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More energy & mining data for Sri Lanka
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 4.83 % 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 (2024)
- Fuel imports 21.5% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Sri Lanka?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Sri Lanka was 171,105 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 201,531 tonnes in 2019.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 261.79 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Sri Lanka ranks 45th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.