Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 49.35 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan, 2010–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in µg/m³.
Analysis
In 2023, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan stood at 49.35 µg/m³. That is the lowest value across all 14 years on record.
That represents a change of down 8.9% on the previous year and down 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan peaked at 76.08 µg/m³ in 2010 and was at its lowest, 49.35 µg/m³, in 2023.
That places Afghanistan 6th out of 254 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 14 years of available data.
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 76.08 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 69.96 µg/m³ | -8.0% |
| 2012 | 69.07 µg/m³ | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 73.84 µg/m³ | +6.9% |
| 2014 | 71.2 µg/m³ | -3.6% |
| 2015 | 71.53 µg/m³ | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 75.13 µg/m³ | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 72.07 µg/m³ | -4.1% |
| 2018 | 71.07 µg/m³ | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 60.08 µg/m³ | -15.5% |
| 2020 | 51.6 µg/m³ | -14.1% |
| 2021 | 55.66 µg/m³ | +7.9% |
| 2022 | 54.17 µg/m³ | -2.7% |
| 2023 | 49.35 µg/m³ | -8.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 71 µg/m³ | 60.08 µg/m³ | 76.08 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.7 µg/m³ | 49.35 µg/m³ | 55.66 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More development goals data for Afghanistan
- Red List Index 0.9237 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 9,820 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 27.99 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 9 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 9 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 9 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 37 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 37 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 37 (2025)
- Infant deaths 70,975 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Afghanistan was 49.35 µg/m³ in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 76.08 µg/m³ in 2010.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.35 µg/m³ in 2023.
- How does Afghanistan rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Afghanistan ranks 6th out of 254 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted), by location (micrograms per cubic meter). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 14 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).