Hazardous waste generated per capita in China
China: Hazardous waste generated per capita was 51.1 kilograms in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Hazardous waste generated per capita in China, 2000–2020
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in kilograms.
Analysis
China recorded 51.1 kilograms for hazardous waste generated per capita in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.6% on the previous year and up 334.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, hazardous waste generated per capita in China peaked at 57.15 kilograms in 2019 and was at its lowest, 6.57 kilograms, in 2000.
China ranks 46th of 83 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Hazardous waste generated per capita in China, year by year
| Year | kilograms | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6.57 kilograms | — |
| 2001 | 7.48 kilograms | +13.9% |
| 2002 | 7.81 kilograms | +4.4% |
| 2003 | 9.08 kilograms | +16.3% |
| 2004 | 7.67 kilograms | -15.5% |
| 2005 | 8.9 kilograms | +16.0% |
| 2006 | 8.26 kilograms | -7.2% |
| 2007 | 8.16 kilograms | -1.2% |
| 2008 | 10.2 kilograms | +25.0% |
| 2009 | 10.68 kilograms | +4.7% |
| 2010 | 11.77 kilograms | +10.2% |
| 2011 | 25.28 kilograms | +114.8% |
| 2012 | 25.36 kilograms | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 22.94 kilograms | -9.5% |
| 2014 | 26.23 kilograms | +14.3% |
| 2015 | 28.53 kilograms | +8.8% |
| 2016 | 37.23 kilograms | +30.5% |
| 2017 | 46.67 kilograms | +25.4% |
| 2018 | 52.71 kilograms | +12.9% |
| 2019 | 57.15 kilograms | +8.4% |
| 2020 | 51.1 kilograms | -10.6% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 51.1 kilograms is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 20.92 kilograms, 2.4× the median. (27 countries reporting)
- China's 51.1 kilograms is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 31.56 kilograms, 1.6× the median. (9 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Hazardous waste generated per capita in China 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | +114.8% | 11.77 kilograms | 25.28 kilograms |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.48 kilograms | 6.57 kilograms | 10.68 kilograms | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.39 kilograms | 11.77 kilograms | 57.15 kilograms | 10 |
| 2020s | 51.1 kilograms | 51.1 kilograms | 51.1 kilograms | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More environment data for China
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.279 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.92 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.8065 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.2517 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual 0.9037 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is hazardous waste generated per capita in China?
- Hazardous waste generated per capita in China was 51.1 kilograms in 2020, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest hazardous waste generated per capita recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 57.15 kilograms in 2019.
- What is the lowest hazardous waste generated per capita recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.57 kilograms in 2000.
- How does China rank for hazardous waste generated per capita?
- China ranks 46th out of 83 countries with data for 2020.
- Is hazardous waste generated per capita rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 334.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Hazardous waste generated per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Hazardous waste generated, per capita (Kg).