Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Europe
Europe: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 8.92 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Europe, 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 Europe is 8.92 µg/m³, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 14 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.1% on the previous year and down 30.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Europe peaked at 14.32 µg/m³ in 2010 and was at its lowest, 8.92 µg/m³, in 2023.
That places Europe 33rd out of 37 groups with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom 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 Europe, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 14.32 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 14.19 µg/m³ | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 12.99 µg/m³ | -8.4% |
| 2013 | 12.79 µg/m³ | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 12.33 µg/m³ | -3.6% |
| 2015 | 11.91 µg/m³ | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 10.93 µg/m³ | -8.2% |
| 2017 | 10.94 µg/m³ | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 11.23 µg/m³ | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 10.43 µg/m³ | -7.1% |
| 2020 | 9.64 µg/m³ | -7.6% |
| 2021 | 9.85 µg/m³ | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 9.81 µg/m³ | -0.5% |
| 2023 | 8.92 µg/m³ | -9.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 12.21 µg/m³ | 10.43 µg/m³ | 14.32 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.56 µg/m³ | 8.92 µg/m³ | 9.85 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Europe
- 30 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 32.33 µg/m³ compare
- 31 China 31.57 µg/m³ compare
- 32 Tajikistan 31.52 µg/m³ compare
- 33 Côte d'Ivoire 31 µg/m³ compare
- 33 Côte d'Ivoire 31 µg/m³ compare
- 35 Armenia 30.11 µg/m³ compare
- 36 Oman 30.05 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for Europe
- Red List Index 0.8374 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 737.2 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 4,433 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 695 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 616 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 159 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 822 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 2,962 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 3,496 (2025)
- Infant deaths 23,561 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Europe?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Europe was 8.92 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 Europe?
- The highest recorded value was 14.32 µg/m³ in 2010.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Europe?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.92 µg/m³ in 2023.
- How does Europe rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Europe ranks 33rd out of 37 groups with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Europe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Europe 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).