Germany vs South Korea: Municipal waste recycled

Germany
35.04 million tonnes
in 2023
South Korea
13.17 million tonnes
in 2022
Germany rank
3rd
South Korea rank
6th

Municipal waste recycled over time

  • Germany
  • South Korea
10.0M20.0M30.0M40.0M200020112023

How they compare

Germany currently reports 35.04 million tonnes against 13.17 million tonnes in South Korea, a difference of 21.86 million tonnes.

That makes Germany's figure about 2.7 times South Korea's.

Across all 21 years both countries report, Germany has been ahead every year.

Germany ranks 3rd and South Korea ranks 6th of 90 countries.

Germany has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Germany South Korea Difference Ahead
2000s 28.80 million tonnes 9.02 million tonnes 19.78 million tonnes Germany
2010s 33.17 million tonnes 11.15 million tonnes 22.02 million tonnes Germany
2020s 37.06 million tonnes 12.71 million tonnes 24.35 million tonnes Germany

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher municipal waste recycled, Germany or South Korea?
Germany, at 35.04 million tonnes against 13.17 million tonnes in South Korea as of 2023.
What is the difference in municipal waste recycled between Germany and South Korea?
21.86 million tonnes, with Germany ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Germany and South Korea?
21 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2022.
How do Germany and South Korea rank globally for municipal waste recycled?
Germany ranks 3rd and South Korea ranks 6th of 90 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as Municipal waste recycled. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Germany vs South Korea: Municipal waste recycled. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 24 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/municipal-waste-recycled/germany/korea-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Municipal waste recycled
Unit
tonnes
Source
United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
90 places, 1,516 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed

Municipal waste recycled (Tonnes).