Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Japan
Japan: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 8.5 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Japan, 2010–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in µg/m³.
Analysis
Japan recorded 8.5 µg/m³ for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 14 years on record.
The figure is down 2.3% on the previous year and down 38.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Japan peaked at 14.86 µg/m³ in 2010 and was at its lowest, 8.5 µg/m³, in 2023.
Japan ranks 183rd of 256 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 Japan, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 14.86 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 14.48 µg/m³ | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 13.08 µg/m³ | -9.7% |
| 2013 | 13.86 µg/m³ | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 13.46 µg/m³ | -2.9% |
| 2015 | 13.18 µg/m³ | -2.1% |
| 2016 | 12.34 µg/m³ | -6.4% |
| 2017 | 12.08 µg/m³ | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 11.45 µg/m³ | -5.2% |
| 2019 | 10.72 µg/m³ | -6.4% |
| 2020 | 9.17 µg/m³ | -14.5% |
| 2021 | 8.73 µg/m³ | -4.7% |
| 2022 | 8.7 µg/m³ | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 8.5 µg/m³ | -2.3% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 8.5 µg/m³ is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.71 µg/m³, 98% of the median. (82 countries reporting)
- Japan's 8.5 µg/m³ is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 6.37 µg/m³, 1.3× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 12.95 µg/m³ | 10.72 µg/m³ | 14.86 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.77 µg/m³ | 8.5 µg/m³ | 9.17 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 180 Antigua and Barbuda 8.61 µg/m³ compare
- 181 French Guiana 8.6 µg/m³ compare
- 182 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8.57 µg/m³ compare
- 184 Gibraltar 8.44 µg/m³ compare
- 185 Guernsey 8.3 µg/m³ compare
- 186 United States Virgin Islands 8.22 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for Japan
- Red List Index 0.7393 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 0.0374 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 9,331 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 41 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 40 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 40 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 48 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 48 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 50 (2025)
- Infant deaths 1,363 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Japan?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Japan was 8.5 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 14.86 µg/m³ in 2010.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.5 µg/m³ in 2023.
- How does Japan rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Japan ranks 183rd out of 256 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Japan 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).