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PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — North America

PM2.5 air pollution in North America in 2023 — 6.9 µg/m³. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 54.6%.

2023 6.9 µg/m³ −5.41% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 15.3 µg/m³1991
Period minimum 6.9 µg/m³2023

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — North America, 1990–202357.51012.51517.51990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 15.3 µg/m³1991: 15.3 µg/m³1992: 15.2 µg/m³1993: 15 µg/m³1994: 14.9 µg/m³1995: 15.1 µg/m³1996: 14.6 µg/m³1997: 14.5 µg/m³1998: 14.4 µg/m³1999: 14.2 µg/m³2000: 13.9 µg/m³2001: 13.3 µg/m³2002: 13.2 µg/m³2003: 12.9 µg/m³2004: 12.1 µg/m³2005: 12.9 µg/m³2006: 11.4 µg/m³2007: 10.6 µg/m³2008: 10.1 µg/m³2009: 9.2 µg/m³2010: 9.1 µg/m³2011: 9.2 µg/m³2012: 8.5 µg/m³2013: 8.3 µg/m³2014: 8.3 µg/m³2015: 8 µg/m³2016: 7.3 µg/m³2017: 7.6 µg/m³2018: 7.7 µg/m³2019: 7.2 µg/m³2020: 7.6 µg/m³2021: 8.2 µg/m³2022: 7.3 µg/m³2023: 6.9 µg/m³
Change over the period: −8.3 (−54.62%) Average annual rate: -2.37 %

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: North America

North America 6.9 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — North America, by year North America All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 6.9 −0.4 −5.41%
2022 7.3 −0.9 −10.63%
2021 8.2 +0.6 +8.35%
2020 7.6 +0.4 +5.21%
2019 7.2 −0.5 −6.62%
2018 7.7 +0.1 +1.05%
2017 7.6 +0.4 +4.84%
2016 7.3 −0.7 −9.05%
2015 8 −0.3 −3.93%
2014 8.3 +0 +0.18%
2013 8.3 −0.2 −2.76%
2012 8.5 −0.7 −7.57%
2011 9.2 +0.1 +1.62%
2010 9.1 −0.1 −0.92%
2009 9.2 −0.9 −9.01%
2008 10.1 −0.5 −4.84%
2007 10.6 −0.8 −7.07%
2006 11.4 −1.5 −11.46%
2005 12.9 +0.7 +6.08%
2004 12.1 −0.7 −5.79%
2003 12.9 −0.3 −2.07%
2002 13.2 −0.1 −0.94%
2001 13.3 −0.7 −4.69%
2000 13.9 −0.3 −2.15%
1999 14.2 −0.1 −0.92%
1998 14.4 −0.1 −0.91%
1997 14.5 −0.1 −0.91%
1996 14.6 −0.5 −3.18%
1995 15.1 +0.2 +1.44%
1994 14.9 −0.1 −0.88%
1993 15 −0.1 −0.87%
1992 15.2 −0.1 −0.87%
1991 15.3 +0 +0.26%
1990 15.3 — —

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 North America

Mortality Air pollution death rate

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

North America by year Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

North America by year Demography Urban population share

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

North America by year Environment Forest cover

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

North America by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

North America by year Environment Protected areas

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

North America by year
All indicators for North America