Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in India
India: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 42.5 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in India, 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 India stood at 42.5 µg/m³.
That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and down 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in India peaked at 59.41 µg/m³ in 2016 and was at its lowest, 42 µg/m³, in 2020.
India ranks 15th of 256 countries on this measure, 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 India, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 57.51 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 54.26 µg/m³ | -5.7% |
| 2012 | 55.61 µg/m³ | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 57.52 µg/m³ | +3.4% |
| 2014 | 56.35 µg/m³ | -2.0% |
| 2015 | 56.5 µg/m³ | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 59.41 µg/m³ | +5.1% |
| 2017 | 54.27 µg/m³ | -8.6% |
| 2018 | 53.31 µg/m³ | -1.8% |
| 2019 | 46.71 µg/m³ | -12.4% |
| 2020 | 42 µg/m³ | -10.1% |
| 2021 | 44.77 µg/m³ | +6.6% |
| 2022 | 43.04 µg/m³ | -3.9% |
| 2023 | 42.5 µg/m³ | -1.3% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 42.5 µg/m³ is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 25.79 µg/m³, 1.6× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- India's 42.5 µg/m³ is above the median for South Asia, which is 33.31 µg/m³, 1.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 55.15 µg/m³ | 46.71 µg/m³ | 59.41 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 43.08 µg/m³ | 42 µg/m³ | 44.77 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near India
More development goals data for India
- Red List Index 0.7875 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.97 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 350.51 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 72 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 72 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 49 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 141 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 297 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 297 (2025)
- Infant deaths 539,573 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in India?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in India was 42.5 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 59.41 µg/m³ in 2016.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 42 µg/m³ in 2020.
- How does India rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- India ranks 15th out of 256 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India 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).