Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South America
South America: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 16.84 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South America, 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 South America stood at 16.84 µg/m³. That is the lowest value across all 14 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.0% on the previous year and down 22.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South America peaked at 22.74 µg/m³ in 2010 and was at its lowest, 16.84 µg/m³, in 2023.
That places South America 24th out of 37 groups with data for 2023, putting it 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 South America, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 22.74 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 22.4 µg/m³ | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 22.22 µg/m³ | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 21.76 µg/m³ | -2.0% |
| 2014 | 22.27 µg/m³ | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 21.63 µg/m³ | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 21.11 µg/m³ | -2.4% |
| 2017 | 20.1 µg/m³ | -4.8% |
| 2018 | 18.69 µg/m³ | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 18.79 µg/m³ | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 18.44 µg/m³ | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 18.06 µg/m³ | -2.0% |
| 2022 | 17.36 µg/m³ | -3.9% |
| 2023 | 16.84 µg/m³ | -3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 21.17 µg/m³ | 18.69 µg/m³ | 22.74 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.67 µg/m³ | 16.84 µg/m³ | 18.44 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near South America
- 21 Sierra Leone 35.26 µg/m³ compare
- 22 Yemen 34.04 µg/m³ compare
- 23 United Arab Emirates 34.01 µg/m³ compare
- 24 Guinea-Bissau 33.83 µg/m³ compare
- 25 Dominican Republic 33.26 µg/m³ compare
- 26 Mali 33.12 µg/m³ compare
- 27 Mongolia 33.11 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for South America
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 1,476 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 817.14 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 290 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 283 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 138 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 224 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 329 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 338 (2025)
- Alcohol consumption per capita (aged 15 years and older) within a 7.73 ltpureal (2024)
- Children moderately or severely stunted 2,822 num th (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South America?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in South America was 16.84 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 America?
- The highest recorded value was 22.74 µg/m³ in 2010.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in South America?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.84 µg/m³ in 2023.
- How does South America rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- South America ranks 24th out of 37 groups with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in South America?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South America 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).