Contact Contacts
PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — High-income countries

PM2.5 air pollution in high-income countries in 2023 — 12.9 µg/m³. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 38.2%.

2023 12.9 µg/m³ −6.93% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 20.8 µg/m³1990
Period minimum 12.8 µg/m³2020

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — High-income countries, 1990–202312.51517.52022.51990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 20.8 µg/m³1991: 20.6 µg/m³1992: 20.4 µg/m³1993: 20.2 µg/m³1994: 20 µg/m³1995: 19.9 µg/m³1996: 19.6 µg/m³1997: 19.4 µg/m³1998: 19.2 µg/m³1999: 19 µg/m³2000: 18.8 µg/m³2001: 17.8 µg/m³2002: 18.3 µg/m³2003: 18.8 µg/m³2004: 17.2 µg/m³2005: 17.5 µg/m³2006: 16.5 µg/m³2007: 16 µg/m³2008: 15.8 µg/m³2009: 15.8 µg/m³2010: 15.9 µg/m³2011: 15.6 µg/m³2012: 15.1 µg/m³2013: 14.9 µg/m³2014: 14.5 µg/m³2015: 14.7 µg/m³2016: 13.9 µg/m³2017: 14.2 µg/m³2018: 14 µg/m³2019: 13.2 µg/m³2020: 12.8 µg/m³2021: 13.5 µg/m³2022: 13.8 µg/m³2023: 12.9 µg/m³
Change over the period: −7.9 (−38.18%) Average annual rate: -1.45 %

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: High-income countries

High-income countries 12.9 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 12.9 −1 −6.93%
2022 13.8 +0.3 +2.2%
2021 13.5 +0.7 +5.64%
2020 12.8 −0.4 −3.37%
2019 13.2 −0.8 −5.6%
2018 14 −0.1 −0.89%
2017 14.2 +0.2 +1.65%
2016 13.9 −0.8 −5.34%
2015 14.7 +0.2 +1.27%
2014 14.5 −0.4 −2.63%
2013 14.9 −0.2 −1.17%
2012 15.1 −0.5 −3.47%
2011 15.6 −0.3 −1.84%
2010 15.9 +0.1 +0.84%
2009 15.8 +0 +0.13%
2008 15.8 −0.2 −1.46%
2007 16 −0.5 −3%
2006 16.5 −0.9 −5.44%
2005 17.5 +0.3 +1.73%
2004 17.2 −1.6 −8.62%
2003 18.8 +0.5 +2.54%
2002 18.3 +0.5 +2.63%
2001 17.8 −1 −5.22%
2000 18.8 −0.2 −1.17%
1999 19 −0.2 −0.98%
1998 19.2 −0.2 −0.98%
1997 19.4 −0.2 −0.99%
1996 19.6 −0.3 −1.43%
1995 19.9 −0.1 −0.58%
1994 20 −0.2 −1.01%
1993 20.2 −0.2 −1%
1992 20.4 −0.2 −0.97%
1991 20.6 −0.2 −0.84%
1990 20.8 — —

About the indicator

The mean annual concentration of suspended particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, weighted by population — that is, the concentration residents are actually exposed to rather than the average across the territory. The WHO guideline of 2021 is no more than 5 µg/m³; in the most polluted countries values exceed it more than tenfold.

Source: Global Health Observatory (WHO), license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Other indicators for high-income countries

Mortality Air pollution death rate

How many deaths per 100,000 people are attributed to dirty air — outdoors and in the home.

High-income countries by year Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

High-income countries by year Demography Urban population share

What part of a country's residents lives in cities — the level of urbanization.

High-income countries by year Environment Forest cover

What share of a country's territory is covered by forest.

High-income countries by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

High-income countries by year Environment Protected areas

The share of land and sea under protection — nature reserves, national parks, sanctuaries.

High-income countries by year
All indicators for high-income countries