Milan had the highest average PM2.5 concentration among Europe's most populated cities in 2021 and 2022, with 19.7 µg/m3. Milan sits in the Po Valley of Northern Italy, which is one of Europe's most polluted regions due to its geographical location and proximity to industrial activities. Poland's capital Warsaw ranked second, with average PM2.5 concentrations of 16.1 µg/m3 based on levels measured in 2021 and 2022. Warsaw is prone to poor air quality due to factors such as burning solid fuels for household heating. Around 97 percent of the European Union's urban population is exposed to PM2.5 concentrations above World Health Organization guidelines.
Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022
(in micrograms per cubic meter of air)
Includes EU-27 member states, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.
Supplementary notes
*Greater city areas. The release date has been set as date of site access.
Air quality categories are as follows: Good for levels of fine particulate matter that do not exceed the annual guideline value of the World Health Organization of 5 μg/m3. Fair for levels above 5 and not exceeding 10 μg/m3. Moderate for levels above 10 and not exceeding 15 μg/m3. Poor for levels above 15 and not exceeding 25 μg/m3. Very poor for levels at and above the European Union limit value of 25 μg/m3.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
EEA. (March 7, 2024). Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA. "Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air)." Chart. March 7, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA. (2024). Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA. "Average Concentration of Fine Particles (Pm2.5) in The Most Populated Cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in Micrograms per Cubic Meter of Air)." Statista, Statista Inc., 7 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
EEA, Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Average concentration of fine particles (PM2.5) in the most populated cities in Europe from 2021 to 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air) [Graph], EEA, March 7, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455310/average-pm25-most-populated-cities-europe/
