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PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — OECD

PM2.5 air pollution in the OECD in 2023 — 12 µg/m³. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 39.2%.

2023 12 µg/m³ −6.53% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 19.8 µg/m³1990
Period minimum 12 µg/m³2023

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — OECD, 1990–202312141618201990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 19.8 µg/m³1991: 19.7 µg/m³1992: 19.6 µg/m³1993: 19.4 µg/m³1994: 19.3 µg/m³1995: 19.4 µg/m³1996: 19 µg/m³1997: 18.8 µg/m³1998: 18.7 µg/m³1999: 18.6 µg/m³2000: 18.3 µg/m³2001: 17.1 µg/m³2002: 17.5 µg/m³2003: 17.9 µg/m³2004: 16.3 µg/m³2005: 16.7 µg/m³2006: 16 µg/m³2007: 15.5 µg/m³2008: 15.1 µg/m³2009: 14.9 µg/m³2010: 14.9 µg/m³2011: 15 µg/m³2012: 14.1 µg/m³2013: 14.2 µg/m³2014: 13.9 µg/m³2015: 13.8 µg/m³2016: 13 µg/m³2017: 13.1 µg/m³2018: 13.1 µg/m³2019: 12.6 µg/m³2020: 12.2 µg/m³2021: 12.6 µg/m³2022: 12.9 µg/m³2023: 12 µg/m³
Change over the period: −7.8 (−39.23%) Average annual rate: -1.5 %

Comparison, 2023

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

OECD 12 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — OECD, by year OECD All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 12 −0.8 −6.53%
2022 12.9 +0.3 +2.15%
2021 12.6 +0.4 +3.29%
2020 12.2 −0.4 −3.44%
2019 12.6 −0.5 −3.7%
2018 13.1 −0 −0.29%
2017 13.1 +0.1 +1.15%
2016 13 −0.8 −5.99%
2015 13.8 −0.1 −0.45%
2014 13.9 −0.3 −2.01%
2013 14.2 +0.1 +0.75%
2012 14.1 −1 −6.49%
2011 15 +0.2 +1.04%
2010 14.9 −0 −0.02%
2009 14.9 −0.2 −1.53%
2008 15.1 −0.3 −2.21%
2007 15.5 −0.5 −3.07%
2006 16 −0.8 −4.71%
2005 16.7 +0.4 +2.41%
2004 16.3 −1.5 −8.65%
2003 17.9 +0.4 +2.03%
2002 17.5 +0.4 +2.34%
2001 17.1 −1.2 −6.4%
2000 18.3 −0.3 −1.35%
1999 18.6 −0.1 −0.77%
1998 18.7 −0.1 −0.77%
1997 18.8 −0.1 −0.77%
1996 19 −0.4 −1.85%
1995 19.4 +0.1 +0.33%
1994 19.3 −0.1 −0.76%
1993 19.4 −0.1 −0.76%
1992 19.6 −0.1 −0.76%
1991 19.7 −0 −0.22%
1990 19.8 — —

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 the OECD

Mortality Air pollution death rate

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

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Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

OECD by year Demography Urban population share

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

OECD by year Environment Forest cover

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

OECD by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

OECD by year Environment Protected areas

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

OECD by year
All indicators for the OECD