Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Switzerland
Switzerland: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 5,084 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
5,084 tonnes
Change on year
up 9.1%
World rank
162nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
219,612 tonnes
in 1973
All-time low
359.22 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Switzerland, 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 Switzerland is 5,084 tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of up 9.1% on the previous year and down 50.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Switzerland peaked at 219,612 tonnes in 1973 and was at its lowest, 359.22 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Switzerland 162nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Switzerland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 359.22 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 359.83 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 360.43 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 361.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 361.64 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 362.23 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 362.82 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 363.41 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 364 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 364.58 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 365.16 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 365.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 366.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 366.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 367.58 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 368.18 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 368.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 369.36 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 369.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 370.53 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 371.11 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 371.72 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 372.33 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 372.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 373.54 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 374.13 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 374.73 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 375.32 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 375.9 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 376.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 377.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 377.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 378.29 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 378.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 379.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 380.09 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 380.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 381.27 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 381.86 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 382.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 383.02 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 383.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 384.24 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 384.85 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 385.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 386.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 386.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 387.22 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 387.81 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 388.39 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1800 | 388.96 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1801 | 389.58 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 390.18 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 390.79 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 391.39 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 391.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 392.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 393.16 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1808 | 393.74 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 394.32 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 394.89 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 398.76 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1812 | 402.62 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1813 | 406.46 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1814 | 410.28 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1815 | 414.09 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1816 | 417.88 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1817 | 421.66 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1818 | 425.43 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1819 | 429.17 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1820 | 432.91 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1821 | 435.83 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1822 | 438.74 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1823 | 441.63 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1824 | 444.51 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1825 | 447.39 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1826 | 450.25 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1827 | 453.09 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1828 | 455.92 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1829 | 458.75 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1830 | 461.55 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1831 | 464.39 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1832 | 467.21 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1833 | 470.03 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1834 | 472.83 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 475.61 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1836 | 478.39 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 481.15 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 483.9 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 486.63 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 489.36 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1841 | 492.23 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1842 | 495.09 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1843 | 497.94 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1844 | 500.77 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1845 | 503.6 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 506.4 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 509.2 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 511.98 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1849 | 514.75 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1850 | 516.42 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1851 | 521.53 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1852 | 524.29 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1853 | 526.75 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1854 | 530.63 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1855 | 534.38 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1856 | 539.02 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1857 | 543.34 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1858 | 1,295 tonnes | +138.4% |
| 1859 | 1,598 tonnes | +23.4% |
| 1860 | 2,107 tonnes | +31.8% |
| 1861 | 2,729 tonnes | +29.5% |
| 1862 | 2,959 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1863 | 2,964 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1864 | 3,492 tonnes | +17.8% |
| 1865 | 4,133 tonnes | +18.3% |
| 1866 | 4,098 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1867 | 4,025 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1868 | 4,514 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1869 | 4,385 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1870 | 5,188 tonnes | +18.3% |
| 1871 | 6,289 tonnes | +21.2% |
| 1872 | 7,137 tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1873 | 6,986 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1874 | 6,591 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1875 | 7,196 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1876 | 8,261 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1877 | 7,884 tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1878 | 7,586 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1879 | 8,032 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1880 | 9,171 tonnes | +14.2% |
| 1881 | 8,622 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1882 | 9,432 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1883 | 10,387 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1884 | 10,622 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1885 | 11,025 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1886 | 11,216 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1887 | 12,106 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1888 | 12,331 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1889 | 13,560 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1890 | 15,231 tonnes | +12.3% |
| 1891 | 18,502 tonnes | +21.5% |
| 1892 | 18,249 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1893 | 15,250 tonnes | -16.4% |
| 1894 | 18,835 tonnes | +23.5% |
| 1895 | 20,180 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1896 | 22,039 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1897 | 23,223 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1898 | 24,795 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1899 | 26,709 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1900 | 29,514 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1901 | 27,049 tonnes | -8.4% |
| 1902 | 27,322 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1903 | 29,545 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1904 | 31,026 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1905 | 32,437 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1906 | 35,781 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1907 | 41,379 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1908 | 41,403 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1909 | 41,734 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1910 | 40,331 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1911 | 44,288 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1912 | 44,846 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1913 | 47,097 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1914 | 42,698 tonnes | -9.3% |
| 1915 | 44,921 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1916 | 42,786 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1917 | 31,085 tonnes | -27.3% |
| 1918 | 29,322 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1919 | 23,673 tonnes | -19.3% |
| 1920 | 36,921 tonnes | +56.0% |
| 1921 | 23,213 tonnes | -37.1% |
| 1922 | 31,810 tonnes | +37.0% |
| 1923 | 39,513 tonnes | +24.2% |
| 1924 | 37,508 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1925 | 39,119 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1926 | 38,735 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1927 | 44,677 tonnes | +15.3% |
| 1928 | 45,062 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1929 | 51,582 tonnes | +14.5% |
| 1930 | 47,844 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 1931 | 50,538 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1932 | 51,474 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1933 | 50,208 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1934 | 50,263 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1935 | 49,882 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1936 | 50,798 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1937 | 54,738 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1938 | 53,127 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1939 | 61,728 tonnes | +16.2% |
| 1940 | 42,001 tonnes | -32.0% |
| 1941 | 31,911 tonnes | -24.0% |
| 1942 | 27,799 tonnes | -12.9% |
| 1943 | 28,566 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1944 | 20,134 tonnes | -29.5% |
| 1945 | 7,554 tonnes | -62.5% |
| 1946 | 25,814 tonnes | +241.8% |
| 1947 | 41,234 tonnes | +59.7% |
| 1948 | 44,132 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1949 | 36,971 tonnes | -16.2% |
| 1950 | 43,368 tonnes | +17.3% |
| 1951 | 53,762 tonnes | +24.0% |
| 1952 | 47,695 tonnes | -11.3% |
| 1953 | 43,895 tonnes | -8.0% |
| 1954 | 54,443 tonnes | +24.0% |
| 1955 | 59,653 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1956 | 76,039 tonnes | +27.5% |
| 1957 | 79,532 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1958 | 75,264 tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1959 | 75,699 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1960 | 91,728 tonnes | +21.2% |
| 1961 | 93,612 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1962 | 105,881 tonnes | +13.1% |
| 1963 | 133,859 tonnes | +26.4% |
| 1964 | 118,870 tonnes | -11.2% |
| 1965 | 132,072 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1966 | 131,834 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1967 | 151,757 tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1968 | 165,855 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1969 | 181,551 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1970 | 200,596 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1971 | 204,426 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1972 | 205,193 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1973 | 219,612 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1974 | 186,181 tonnes | -15.2% |
| 1975 | 156,180 tonnes | -16.1% |
| 1976 | 157,350 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1977 | 158,423 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1978 | 160,054 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1979 | 151,912 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1980 | 121,443 tonnes | -20.1% |
| 1981 | 106,270 tonnes | -12.5% |
| 1982 | 91,596 tonnes | -13.8% |
| 1983 | 86,056 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1984 | 81,713 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1985 | 75,058 tonnes | -8.1% |
| 1986 | 69,730 tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1987 | 64,715 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 1988 | 57,687 tonnes | -10.9% |
| 1989 | 47,336 tonnes | -17.9% |
| 1990 | 38,286 tonnes | -19.1% |
| 1991 | 38,094 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1992 | 35,720 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1993 | 30,823 tonnes | -13.7% |
| 1994 | 27,986 tonnes | -9.2% |
| 1995 | 27,798 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 26,409 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1997 | 22,748 tonnes | -13.9% |
| 1998 | 23,746 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1999 | 20,724 tonnes | -12.7% |
| 2000 | 18,064 tonnes | -12.8% |
| 2001 | 19,024 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 2002 | 16,571 tonnes | -12.9% |
| 2003 | 16,723 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 16,302 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 15,317 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 2006 | 14,711 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 2007 | 13,101 tonnes | -10.9% |
| 2008 | 13,266 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 11,839 tonnes | -10.8% |
| 2010 | 12,034 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 10,046 tonnes | -16.5% |
| 2012 | 10,294 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 9,673 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 2014 | 8,909 tonnes | -7.9% |
| 2015 | 7,328 tonnes | -17.7% |
| 2016 | 6,974 tonnes | -4.8% |
| 2017 | 6,796 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2018 | 6,677 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2019 | 6,339 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 2020 | 4,569 tonnes | -27.9% |
| 2021 | 4,660 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2022 | 5,084 tonnes | +9.1% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 5,084 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 26,427 tonnes, 19% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 5,084 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 40,466 tonnes, 13% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Switzerland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | +241.8% | 7,554 tonnes | 25,814 tonnes |
| 1858 | +138.4% | 543.34 tonnes | 1,295 tonnes |
| 1945 | -62.5% | 20,134 tonnes | 7,554 tonnes |
| 1947 | +59.7% | 25,814 tonnes | 41,234 tonnes |
| 1920 | +56.0% | 23,673 tonnes | 36,921 tonnes |
| 1921 | -37.1% | 36,921 tonnes | 23,213 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 361.92 tonnes | 359.22 tonnes | 364.58 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 367.87 tonnes | 365.16 tonnes | 370.53 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 373.82 tonnes | 371.11 tonnes | 376.49 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 379.78 tonnes | 377.07 tonnes | 382.44 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 385.73 tonnes | 383.02 tonnes | 388.39 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 391.67 tonnes | 388.96 tonnes | 394.32 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 412.13 tonnes | 394.89 tonnes | 429.17 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 445.9 tonnes | 432.91 tonnes | 458.75 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 474.17 tonnes | 461.55 tonnes | 486.63 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 502.13 tonnes | 489.36 tonnes | 514.75 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 713.01 tonnes | 516.42 tonnes | 1,598 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 3,541 tonnes | 2,107 tonnes | 4,514 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 7,115 tonnes | 5,188 tonnes | 8,261 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 10,847 tonnes | 8,622 tonnes | 13,560 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 20,301 tonnes | 15,231 tonnes | 26,709 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 33,719 tonnes | 27,049 tonnes | 41,734 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 39,105 tonnes | 23,673 tonnes | 47,097 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 38,814 tonnes | 23,213 tonnes | 51,582 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 52,060 tonnes | 47,844 tonnes | 61,728 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 30,612 tonnes | 7,554 tonnes | 44,132 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 60,935 tonnes | 43,368 tonnes | 79,532 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 130,702 tonnes | 91,728 tonnes | 181,551 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 179,993 tonnes | 151,912 tonnes | 219,612 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 80,160 tonnes | 47,336 tonnes | 121,443 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 29,233 tonnes | 20,724 tonnes | 38,286 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 15,492 tonnes | 11,839 tonnes | 19,024 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 8,507 tonnes | 6,339 tonnes | 12,034 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,771 tonnes | 4,569 tonnes | 5,084 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More energy & mining data for Switzerland
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -8.75 % 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 (2025)
- Fuel imports 3.2% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Switzerland?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Switzerland was 5,084 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 219,612 tonnes in 1973.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 359.22 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Switzerland rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Switzerland ranks 162nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.