Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in China
China: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 31.57 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in China, 2010–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in µg/m³.
Analysis
China recorded 31.57 µg/m³ for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in 2023.
That represents a change of up 7.8% on the previous year and down 49.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in China peaked at 62.86 µg/m³ in 2013 and was at its lowest, 29.29 µg/m³, in 2022.
That places China 31st out of 256 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
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 China, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 59.71 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 60.43 µg/m³ | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 57.32 µg/m³ | -5.1% |
| 2013 | 62.86 µg/m³ | +9.7% |
| 2014 | 54 µg/m³ | -14.1% |
| 2015 | 49.8 µg/m³ | -7.8% |
| 2016 | 45.33 µg/m³ | -9.0% |
| 2017 | 44.87 µg/m³ | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 38.86 µg/m³ | -13.4% |
| 2019 | 36.35 µg/m³ | -6.5% |
| 2020 | 32.82 µg/m³ | -9.7% |
| 2021 | 31.26 µg/m³ | -4.8% |
| 2022 | 29.29 µg/m³ | -6.3% |
| 2023 | 31.57 µg/m³ | +7.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 31.57 µg/m³ is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 16.33 µg/m³, 1.9× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- China's 31.57 µg/m³ is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 6.37 µg/m³, 5.0× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 50.95 µg/m³ | 36.35 µg/m³ | 62.86 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 31.24 µg/m³ | 29.29 µg/m³ | 32.82 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
- 28 Guinea 32.89 µg/m³ compare
- 29 Togo 32.72 µg/m³ compare
- 30 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 32.33 µg/m³ compare
- 32 Tajikistan 31.52 µg/m³ compare
- 33 Côte d'Ivoire 31 µg/m³ compare
- 33 Cote d'Ivoire 31 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for China
- Red List Index 0.8295 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 11.52 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 3,492 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 76 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 76 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 37 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 216 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 849 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 872 (2025)
- Infant deaths 36,113 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in China?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in China was 31.57 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 62.86 µg/m³ in 2013.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.29 µg/m³ in 2022.
- How does China rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- China ranks 31st out of 256 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China 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).