Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 27.71 µg/m³ in 2023. ▲ Rising
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Sub-Saharan 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 Sub-Saharan Africa is 27.71 µg/m³, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 7.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 28.38 µg/m³ in 2015 and was at its lowest, 25.56 µg/m³, in 2014.
That places Sub-Saharan Africa 12th out of 37 groups with data for 2023, putting it 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 Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 25.77 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 27 µg/m³ | +4.8% |
| 2012 | 27.11 µg/m³ | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 25.84 µg/m³ | -4.7% |
| 2014 | 25.56 µg/m³ | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 28.38 µg/m³ | +11.0% |
| 2016 | 27.82 µg/m³ | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 27.33 µg/m³ | -1.8% |
| 2018 | 27.21 µg/m³ | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 26.13 µg/m³ | -4.0% |
| 2020 | 27.63 µg/m³ | +5.7% |
| 2021 | 27.74 µg/m³ | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 28.02 µg/m³ | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 27.71 µg/m³ | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 26.82 µg/m³ | 25.56 µg/m³ | 28.38 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 27.77 µg/m³ | 27.63 µg/m³ | 28.02 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More development goals data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Red List Index 0.8101 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 616 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 165.83 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 366 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 355 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 232 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 658 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 794 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 817 (2025)
- Infant deaths 1.89 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in Sub-Saharan Africa was 27.71 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 Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 28.38 µg/m³ in 2015.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.56 µg/m³ in 2014.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 12th out of 37 groups with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan 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).