Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Southern Africa
Southern Africa: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 17.47 in 2023. ▲ Rising
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Southern Africa, 2010–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2023, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Southern Africa stood at 17.47. That is the highest value across all 14 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.6% on the previous year and up 11.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Southern Africa peaked at 17.47 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 15.57, in 2011.
Southern Africa ranks 21st of 37 groups 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 Southern Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 15.94 | — |
| 2011 | 15.57 | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 15.66 | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 15.72 | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 15.69 | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 15.88 | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 15.66 | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 16.04 | +2.4% |
| 2018 | 16.11 | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 16.22 | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 16.3 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 16.73 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 16.85 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 17.47 | +3.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 15.85 | 15.57 | 16.22 | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.84 | 16.3 | 17.47 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Southern Africa
- 18 Iraq 39.8 compare
- 19 Gambia 39.6 compare
- 20 Burkina Faso 36.21 compare
- 21 Sierra Leone 35.26 compare
- 22 Yemen 34.04 compare
- 23 United Arab Emirates 34.01 compare
- 24 Guinea-Bissau 33.83 compare
More development goals data for Southern Africa
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 3.08 (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 623.5 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 162 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 158 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 85 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 98 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 121 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 127 (2025)
- Alcohol consumption per capita (aged 15 years and older) within a 8.34 (2024)
- Children moderately or severely stunted 1,688 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Southern Africa?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Southern Africa was 17.47 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 Southern Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 17.47 in 2023.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Southern Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.57 in 2011.
- How does Southern Africa rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Southern Africa ranks 21st out of 37 groups with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Southern Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Southern 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).