Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in New Zealand
New Zealand: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 5.9 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in New Zealand, 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 New Zealand is 5.9 µg/m³, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.8% on the previous year and down 8.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in New Zealand peaked at 6.84 µg/m³ in 2014 and was at its lowest, 5.43 µg/m³, in 2022.
New Zealand ranks 233rd of 256 countries on this measure, 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 New Zealand, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5.89 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 6.12 µg/m³ | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 6.7 µg/m³ | +9.5% |
| 2013 | 6.46 µg/m³ | -3.5% |
| 2014 | 6.84 µg/m³ | +5.9% |
| 2015 | 6.52 µg/m³ | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 6.55 µg/m³ | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 6.56 µg/m³ | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 6.47 µg/m³ | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 6.55 µg/m³ | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 6.25 µg/m³ | -4.6% |
| 2021 | 5.78 µg/m³ | -7.6% |
| 2022 | 5.43 µg/m³ | -6.1% |
| 2023 | 5.9 µg/m³ | +8.8% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 5.9 µg/m³ is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.71 µg/m³, 68% of the median. (82 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 5.9 µg/m³ is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 6.37 µg/m³, 93% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6.47 µg/m³ | 5.89 µg/m³ | 6.84 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.84 µg/m³ | 5.43 µg/m³ | 6.25 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
- 230 Micronesia (Federated States of) 5.92 µg/m³ compare
- 231 Réunion 5.92 µg/m³ compare
- 231 Reunion 5.92 µg/m³ compare
- 234 Solomon Islands 5.87 µg/m³ compare
- 235 Faroe Islands 5.82 µg/m³ compare
- 236 French Polynesia 5.81 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for New Zealand
- Red List Index 0.6329 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.03 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 3,478 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 131 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 129 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 16 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 16 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 69 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 74 (2025)
- Infant deaths 238 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in New Zealand?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in New Zealand was 5.9 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 New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 6.84 µg/m³ in 2014.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.43 µg/m³ in 2022.
- How does New Zealand rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- New Zealand ranks 233rd out of 256 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this New Zealand 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).