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PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — Sub-Saharan Africa

PM2.5 air pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023 — 35.4 µg/m³. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 1.9%.

2023 35.4 µg/m³ −5.23% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 39.8 µg/m³2015
Period minimum 31.7 µg/m³2003

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–20233032.53537.5401990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 34.8 µg/m³1991: 34.1 µg/m³1992: 34.3 µg/m³1993: 34.4 µg/m³1994: 34.6 µg/m³1995: 33 µg/m³1996: 35 µg/m³1997: 35.1 µg/m³1998: 35.3 µg/m³1999: 35.5 µg/m³2000: 36.6 µg/m³2001: 34.6 µg/m³2002: 35.1 µg/m³2003: 31.7 µg/m³2004: 36 µg/m³2005: 33.9 µg/m³2006: 35.7 µg/m³2007: 37.2 µg/m³2008: 37.5 µg/m³2009: 35 µg/m³2010: 35.7 µg/m³2011: 36.3 µg/m³2012: 36 µg/m³2013: 33.8 µg/m³2014: 32.4 µg/m³2015: 39.8 µg/m³2016: 37.4 µg/m³2017: 36.3 µg/m³2018: 34 µg/m³2019: 33.7 µg/m³2020: 35.4 µg/m³2021: 35.2 µg/m³2022: 37.4 µg/m³2023: 35.4 µg/m³
Change over the period: +0.7 (+1.94%) Average annual rate: 0.06 %

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa 35.4 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — Sub-Saharan Africa, by year Sub-Saharan Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 35.4 −2 −5.23%
2022 37.4 +2.2 +6.33%
2021 35.2 −0.2 −0.7%
2020 35.4 +1.7 +5.03%
2019 33.7 −0.3 −0.79%
2018 34 −2.3 −6.39%
2017 36.3 −1 −2.8%
2016 37.4 −2.5 −6.21%
2015 39.8 +7.4 +22.9%
2014 32.4 −1.4 −4.08%
2013 33.8 −2.2 −6.16%
2012 36 −0.3 −0.81%
2011 36.3 +0.6 +1.7%
2010 35.7 +0.7 +2.06%
2009 35 −2.5 −6.7%
2008 37.5 +0.3 +0.75%
2007 37.2 +1.5 +4.33%
2006 35.7 +1.8 +5.27%
2005 33.9 −2.2 −6.02%
2004 36 +4.3 +13.58%
2003 31.7 −3.4 −9.68%
2002 35.1 +0.6 +1.6%
2001 34.6 −2 −5.54%
2000 36.6 +1.1 +3.05%
1999 35.5 +0.2 +0.54%
1998 35.3 +0.2 +0.52%
1997 35.1 +0.2 +0.54%
1996 35 +2 +5.93%
1995 33 −1.6 −4.59%
1994 34.6 +0.2 +0.46%
1993 34.4 +0.2 +0.51%
1992 34.3 +0.2 +0.55%
1991 34.1 −0.7 −1.99%
1990 34.8 — —

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 Sub-Saharan Africa

Mortality Air pollution death rate

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Demography Urban population share

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Environment Forest cover

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

Sub-Saharan Africa by year Environment Protected areas

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

Sub-Saharan Africa by year
All indicators for Sub-Saharan Africa