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PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — Upper-middle-income countries

PM2.5 air pollution in upper-middle-income countries in 2023 — 26.6 µg/m³. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 28.1%.

2023 26.6 µg/m³ −1.18% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 38.3 µg/m³2011
Period minimum 26.4 µg/m³2021

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — Upper-middle-income countries, 1990–2023253035401990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 37 µg/m³1991: 36.7 µg/m³1992: 36.7 µg/m³1993: 36.7 µg/m³1994: 36.8 µg/m³1995: 36.2 µg/m³1996: 36.8 µg/m³1997: 36.8 µg/m³1998: 36.9 µg/m³1999: 36.9 µg/m³2000: 37.2 µg/m³2001: 36.9 µg/m³2002: 37.3 µg/m³2003: 36.9 µg/m³2004: 36.4 µg/m³2005: 36.8 µg/m³2006: 37.7 µg/m³2007: 37.9 µg/m³2008: 37.5 µg/m³2009: 36.9 µg/m³2010: 36.3 µg/m³2011: 38.3 µg/m³2012: 35.8 µg/m³2013: 37.5 µg/m³2014: 38.1 µg/m³2015: 36.8 µg/m³2016: 33.8 µg/m³2017: 32.3 µg/m³2018: 30.1 µg/m³2019: 29.8 µg/m³2020: 27.3 µg/m³2021: 26.4 µg/m³2022: 26.9 µg/m³2023: 26.6 µg/m³
Change over the period: −10.4 (−28.15%) Average annual rate: -1 %

Comparison, 2023

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

Upper-middle-income countries 26.6 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — Upper-middle-income countries, by year Upper-middle-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 26.6 −0.3 −1.18%
2022 26.9 +0.4 +1.69%
2021 26.4 −0.9 −3.26%
2020 27.3 −2.5 −8.41%
2019 29.8 −0.3 −0.94%
2018 30.1 −2.1 −6.64%
2017 32.3 −1.6 −4.59%
2016 33.8 −3 −8.21%
2015 36.8 −1.2 −3.23%
2014 38.1 +0.6 +1.56%
2013 37.5 +1.7 +4.69%
2012 35.8 −2.5 −6.58%
2011 38.3 +2 +5.56%
2010 36.3 −0.6 −1.68%
2009 36.9 −0.6 −1.48%
2008 37.5 −0.4 −1.15%
2007 37.9 +0.2 +0.62%
2006 37.7 +0.9 +2.44%
2005 36.8 +0.4 +1.07%
2004 36.4 −0.5 −1.26%
2003 36.9 −0.4 −1.07%
2002 37.3 +0.3 +0.94%
2001 36.9 −0.2 −0.66%
2000 37.2 +0.3 +0.83%
1999 36.9 +0 +0.04%
1998 36.9 +0 +0.05%
1997 36.8 +0 +0.06%
1996 36.8 +0.6 +1.7%
1995 36.2 −0.6 −1.55%
1994 36.8 +0 +0.06%
1993 36.7 +0 +0.05%
1992 36.7 +0 +0.05%
1991 36.7 −0.3 −0.74%
1990 37 — —

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 upper-middle-income countries

Mortality Air pollution death rate

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

Upper-middle-income countries by year Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

Upper-middle-income countries by year Demography Urban population share

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

Upper-middle-income countries by year Environment Forest cover

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

Upper-middle-income countries by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

Upper-middle-income countries by year Environment Protected areas

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

Upper-middle-income countries by year
All indicators for upper-middle-income countries