Global air pollution

Statistics report on air pollutants and air quality worldwide

Global air pollution

Air pollution is one of the biggest threats to human health, with long-term and short-term exposure to several air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5), linked to adverse health effects like lung cancer and heart disease. Every year, exposure to poor air quality is responsible for millions of premature deaths around the world.

This report provides facts and figures about air pollution worldwide. It looks into emissions of various types of air pollutants, air pollution exposure on a country and city-wide basis, health risks posed by poor air quality, and what kind of action is being taken to address this environmental issue.

Table of contents

Overview

5
  • Basic Statistic Number of deaths worldwide from select risk factors in 2021
  • Premium Statistic Global population exposed to unsafe air pollution levels 2022, by risk
  • Premium Statistic Global number of deaths from air pollution 1990-2021
  • Premium Statistic Average life expectancy loss worldwide 2021, by external risk
  • Premium Statistic Global particulate emissions damage as a share of GNI 1990-2021, by select country

Emissions

6
  • Premium Statistic Global air pollutant emissions 1990-2022, by type
  • Premium Statistic Global changes in air pollutant emissions 1990-2022, by type
  • Premium Statistic Global changes in air pollutant emissions 1990-2022, by type and region
  • Premium Statistic Largest sulfur dioxide emissions worldwide 2022, by leading country
  • Premium Statistic Global nitrogen oxides emissions 2021, by select country
  • Premium Statistic Fossil fuel contributions to global air pollutants worldwide, by type

Air pollution exposure

6
  • Premium Statistic Annual average PM2.5 concentrations worldwide 2000-2021
  • Premium Statistic Share of population exposed to hazardous levels of PM2.5 worldwide 2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic Most polluted countries based on PM2.5 concentration globally 2023
  • Premium Statistic Most polluted capital cities based on PM2.5 concentration globally 2023
  • Premium Statistic Most polluted cities based on PM2.5 concentration globally 2023
  • Premium Statistic Global air pollution levels 2023, by select city

Health impacts

8
  • Premium Statistic Global deaths from air pollution by region 2000-2021
  • Premium Statistic Breakdown of global air pollution deaths 2021, by contributor
  • Premium Statistic Share of global deaths from specific causes attributable to air pollution 2021
  • Premium Statistic Global deaths caused by air pollution 2021, by country
  • Premium Statistic Global death rates caused by air pollution 2021, by select country
  • Premium Statistic Global death rates caused by household air pollution 2021, by region
  • Premium Statistic Global death rates in children from air pollution 2021, by region
  • Premium Statistic Highest number of air pollution deaths among children worldwide 2021, by country

Tackling air pollution

4
  • Premium Statistic WHO Air quality standards worldwide 2005-2021, by pollutant
  • Premium Statistic Annual outdoor air quality funding worldwide 2015-2021
  • Premium Statistic Breakdown of outdoor air quality funding worldwide 2017-2021, by sector
  • Premium Statistic Breakdown of outdoor air quality funding worldwide 2017-2021, by destination

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