Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Africa
Africa: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 28.2 µg/m³ in 2023. ▲ Rising
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Africa, 2010–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in µg/m³.
Analysis
Africa recorded 28.2 µg/m³ for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in 2023.
The figure is down 1.6% on the previous year and up 6.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Africa peaked at 28.92 µg/m³ in 2015 and was at its lowest, 26.29 µg/m³, in 2014.
Africa ranks 11th of 37 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 14 years of available data.
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Africa, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 26.46 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 27.45 µg/m³ | +3.7% |
| 2012 | 27.65 µg/m³ | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 26.43 µg/m³ | -4.4% |
| 2014 | 26.29 µg/m³ | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 28.92 µg/m³ | +10.0% |
| 2016 | 28.43 µg/m³ | -1.7% |
| 2017 | 27.98 µg/m³ | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 27.8 µg/m³ | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 26.8 µg/m³ | -3.6% |
| 2020 | 28.05 µg/m³ | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 28.4 µg/m³ | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 28.67 µg/m³ | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 28.2 µg/m³ | -1.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 27.42 µg/m³ | 26.29 µg/m³ | 28.92 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 28.33 µg/m³ | 28.05 µg/m³ | 28.67 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Africa
More development goals data for Africa
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 679.3 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 212.63 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 386 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 374 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 237 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 779 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 979 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 1,004 (2025)
- Alcohol consumption per capita (aged 15 years and older) within a 2.44 ltpureal (2024)
- Children moderately or severely stunted 64,821 num th (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Africa?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Africa was 28.2 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 Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 28.92 µg/m³ in 2015.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.29 µg/m³ in 2014.
- How does Africa rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Africa ranks 11th out of 37 groups with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa 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).