Contact Contacts
PM2.5 air pollution — all countries

PM2.5 air pollution — World

PM2.5 air pollution in the world in 2023 — 32.9 µg/m³. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 10.4%.

2023 32.9 µg/m³ +0.43% vs 2022
World rank —
Period maximum 37.4 µg/m³2011
Period minimum 32.5 µg/m³2020

Trend over time

1990–2023 · µg/m³

PM2.5 air pollution — World, 1990–2023323436381990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 36.7 µg/m³1991: 36.3 µg/m³1992: 36.3 µg/m³1993: 36.3 µg/m³1994: 36.3 µg/m³1995: 35.5 µg/m³1996: 36.3 µg/m³1997: 36.4 µg/m³1998: 36.4 µg/m³1999: 36.4 µg/m³2000: 36.8 µg/m³2001: 36.2 µg/m³2002: 36.8 µg/m³2003: 36.7 µg/m³2004: 36.4 µg/m³2005: 36.4 µg/m³2006: 35.9 µg/m³2007: 36 µg/m³2008: 36.3 µg/m³2009: 36.1 µg/m³2010: 36 µg/m³2011: 37.4 µg/m³2012: 36 µg/m³2013: 36 µg/m³2014: 35.9 µg/m³2015: 36.5 µg/m³2016: 35.5 µg/m³2017: 35 µg/m³2018: 34.7 µg/m³2019: 33.4 µg/m³2020: 32.5 µg/m³2021: 33.2 µg/m³2022: 32.7 µg/m³2023: 32.9 µg/m³
Change over the period: −3.8 (−10.36%) Average annual rate: -0.33 %

Comparison, 2023

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

World 32.9 µg/m³
World 32.9 µg/m³
PM2.5 air pollution — World, by year World All countries CSV XLSX
Year µg/m³ Change Change, %
2023 32.9 +0.1 +0.43%
2022 32.7 −0.5 −1.41%
2021 33.2 +0.7 +2.14%
2020 32.5 −0.9 −2.64%
2019 33.4 −1.4 −3.91%
2018 34.7 −0.3 −0.78%
2017 35 −0.5 −1.3%
2016 35.5 −1.1 −2.9%
2015 36.5 +0.6 +1.79%
2014 35.9 −0.1 −0.3%
2013 36 +0 +0.02%
2012 36 −1.4 −3.65%
2011 37.4 +1.3 +3.7%
2010 36 −0.1 −0.17%
2009 36.1 −0.2 −0.51%
2008 36.3 +0.3 +0.78%
2007 36 +0 +0.13%
2006 35.9 −0.4 −1.2%
2005 36.4 −0 −0.02%
2004 36.4 −0.3 −0.85%
2003 36.7 −0.1 −0.29%
2002 36.8 +0.6 +1.65%
2001 36.2 −0.6 −1.72%
2000 36.8 +0.4 +1.22%
1999 36.4 +0 +0.05%
1998 36.4 +0 +0.05%
1997 36.4 +0 +0.05%
1996 36.3 +0.8 +2.37%
1995 35.5 −0.8 −2.23%
1994 36.3 +0 +0.04%
1993 36.3 +0 +0.04%
1992 36.3 +0 +0.03%
1991 36.3 −0.4 −1.06%
1990 36.7 — —

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 world

Mortality Air pollution death rate

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

World by year Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

World by year Demography Urban population share

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

World by year Environment Forest cover

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

World by year Environment Forest area

The absolute area of forest in square kilometers.

World by year Environment Protected areas

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

World by year
All indicators for the world