Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South Africa
South Africa: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 18.25 µg/m³ in 2023. ▲ Rising
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South Africa, 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 South Africa is 18.25 µg/m³, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 14 years on record.
The figure is up 3.7% on the previous year and up 12.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South Africa peaked at 18.25 µg/m³ in 2023 and was at its lowest, 15.93 µg/m³, in 2011.
South Africa ranks 89th of 254 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 14 years of available data.
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 16.33 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 15.93 µg/m³ | -2.5% |
| 2012 | 16.09 µg/m³ | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 16.21 µg/m³ | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 16.18 µg/m³ | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 16.38 µg/m³ | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 16.19 µg/m³ | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 16.62 µg/m³ | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 16.76 µg/m³ | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 16.94 µg/m³ | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 17.07 µg/m³ | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 17.45 µg/m³ | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 17.6 µg/m³ | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 18.25 µg/m³ | +3.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16.36 µg/m³ | 15.93 µg/m³ | 16.94 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.59 µg/m³ | 17.07 µg/m³ | 18.25 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More development goals data for South Africa
- Red List Index 0.8693 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1.8 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 651.49 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 105 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 101 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 33 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 40 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 56 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 61 (2025)
- Infant deaths 28,570 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South Africa?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South Africa was 18.25 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18.25 µg/m³ in 2023.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.93 µg/m³ in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- South Africa ranks 89th out of 254 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa 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).