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PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — South Korea

PM2.5 air pollution in South Korea in 2023 — 21.9 µg/m³. Ranked 128 in the world out of 200. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 2.5%.

2023 21.9 µg/m³ −6.6% vs 2022
World rank 128of 200
Period maximum 26.2 µg/m³2014
Period minimum 20.1 µg/m³2004

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — South Korea, 1990–202320222426281990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 21.4 µg/m³1991: 21.3 µg/m³1992: 21.3 µg/m³1993: 21.3 µg/m³1994: 21.3 µg/m³1995: 21.3 µg/m³1996: 21.3 µg/m³1997: 21.3 µg/m³1998: 21.3 µg/m³1999: 21.3 µg/m³2000: 21.4 µg/m³2001: 21.2 µg/m³2002: 21 µg/m³2003: 20.7 µg/m³2004: 20.1 µg/m³2005: 20.7 µg/m³2006: 23.5 µg/m³2007: 24.8 µg/m³2008: 24.6 µg/m³2009: 24.5 µg/m³2010: 22.7 µg/m³2011: 21.8 µg/m³2012: 22.6 µg/m³2013: 25.1 µg/m³2014: 26.2 µg/m³2015: 24.5 µg/m³2016: 24.1 µg/m³2017: 22.1 µg/m³2018: 21.5 µg/m³2019: 22 µg/m³2020: 21 µg/m³2021: 21.5 µg/m³2022: 23.4 µg/m³2023: 21.9 µg/m³
Change over the period: +0.5 (+2.51%) Average annual rate: 0.08 %

Comparison, 2023

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

South Korea 21.9 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
East Asia & Pacific 27.3 µg/m³
Eastern Asia computed 29.9 µg/m³
High-income countries computed 12.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — South Korea, by year South Korea All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 21.9 −1.5 −6.6%
2022 23.4 +1.9 +8.8%
2021 21.5 +0.5 +2.6%
2020 21 −1 −4.46%
2019 22 +0.5 +2.29%
2018 21.5 −0.6 −2.73%
2017 22.1 −2.1 −8.52%
2016 24.1 −0.4 −1.44%
2015 24.5 −1.7 −6.56%
2014 26.2 +1.2 +4.61%
2013 25.1 +2.5 +10.89%
2012 22.6 +0.8 +3.56%
2011 21.8 −0.9 −4.04%
2010 22.7 −1.8 −7.15%
2009 24.5 −0.1 −0.27%
2008 24.6 −0.2 −0.82%
2007 24.8 +1.2 +5.18%
2006 23.5 +2.8 +13.65%
2005 20.7 +0.6 +3.04%
2004 20.1 −0.6 −3.09%
2003 20.7 −0.2 −1.08%
2002 21 −0.3 −1.19%
2001 21.2 −0.1 −0.62%
2000 21.4 +0 +0.16%
1999 21.3 +0 +0%
1998 21.3 +0 +0%
1997 21.3 +0 +0%
1996 21.3 +0.1 +0.32%
1995 21.3 −0.1 −0.32%
1994 21.3 +0 +0%
1993 21.3 +0 +0%
1992 21.3 +0 +0%
1991 21.3 −0 −0.16%
1990 21.4 — —

Eastern Asia, 2023

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

JP Japan 11.5 KP North Korea 21.8 KR South Korea 21.9 CN China 32 MN Mongolia 42.7
Full table for all countries

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 South Korea

Mortality Air pollution death rate

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

South Korea by year Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

South Korea by year Demography Urban population share

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

South Korea by year Environment Forest cover

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

South Korea by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

South Korea by year Environment Protected areas

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

South Korea by year
All indicators for South Korea