Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia
Australia: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 6.23 µg/m³ in 2023. ▬ Flat
Latest (2023)
6.23 µg/m³
Change on year
up 15.2%
World rank
219th
of 256 countries
All-time high
8.15 µg/m³
in 2019
All-time low
5.41 µg/m³
in 2022
Years of data
14
2010–2023
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia, 2010–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in µg/m³.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia is 6.23 µg/m³, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 15.2% on the previous year and down 10.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia peaked at 8.15 µg/m³ in 2019 and was at its lowest, 5.41 µg/m³, in 2022.
That places Australia 219th out of 256 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6.13 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 6.23 µg/m³ | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 6.89 µg/m³ | +10.6% |
| 2013 | 6.94 µg/m³ | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 7.04 µg/m³ | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 6.69 µg/m³ | -5.0% |
| 2016 | 6.88 µg/m³ | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 7.06 µg/m³ | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 7.08 µg/m³ | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 8.15 µg/m³ | +15.1% |
| 2020 | 6.94 µg/m³ | -14.9% |
| 2021 | 6.02 µg/m³ | -13.1% |
| 2022 | 5.41 µg/m³ | -10.3% |
| 2023 | 6.23 µg/m³ | +15.2% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 6.23 µg/m³ is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.71 µg/m³, 72% of the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Australia's 6.23 µg/m³ is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 6.37 µg/m³, 98% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6.91 µg/m³ | 6.13 µg/m³ | 8.15 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.15 µg/m³ | 5.41 µg/m³ | 6.94 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 216 Micronesia 6.33 µg/m³ compare
- 217 American Samoa 6.32 µg/m³ compare
- 218 Fiji 6.24 µg/m³ compare
- 220 Papua New Guinea 6.22 µg/m³ compare
- 221 Portugal 6.21 µg/m³ compare
- 222 Australia and New Zealand 6.2 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for Australia
- Red List Index 0.8456 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 0.1186 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 3,018 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 249 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 208 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 12 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 7 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 74 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 108 (2025)
- Infant deaths 941 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Australia was 6.23 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 Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 8.15 µg/m³ in 2019.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.41 µg/m³ in 2022.
- How does Australia rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Australia ranks 219th out of 256 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Australia 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).