Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) was 7.95 µg/m³ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in United Kingdom, 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 United Kingdom is 7.95 µg/m³, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 14 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.3% on the previous year and down 32.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in United Kingdom peaked at 13.05 µg/m³ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 7.95 µg/m³, in 2023.
That places United Kingdom 195th out of 256 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | µg/m³ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.46 µg/m³ | — |
| 2011 | 13.05 µg/m³ | +4.7% |
| 2012 | 11.78 µg/m³ | -9.7% |
| 2013 | 11.73 µg/m³ | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 11.03 µg/m³ | -6.0% |
| 2015 | 10.89 µg/m³ | -1.2% |
| 2016 | 9.99 µg/m³ | -8.3% |
| 2017 | 9.67 µg/m³ | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 9.91 µg/m³ | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 9.41 µg/m³ | -5.1% |
| 2020 | 8.67 µg/m³ | -7.8% |
| 2021 | 8.43 µg/m³ | -2.7% |
| 2022 | 8.76 µg/m³ | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 7.95 µg/m³ | -9.3% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 7.95 µg/m³ is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.71 µg/m³, 91% of the median. (82 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 7.95 µg/m³ is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 9.53 µg/m³, 83% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10.99 µg/m³ | 9.41 µg/m³ | 13.05 µg/m³ | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.45 µg/m³ | 7.95 µg/m³ | 8.76 µg/m³ | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 192 Spain 8.03 µg/m³ compare
- 193 Jersey 7.99 µg/m³ compare
- 194 Guadeloupe 7.97 µg/m³ compare
- 195 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 7.95 µg/m³ compare
- 197 British Virgin Islands 7.87 µg/m³ compare
- 198 Saint Barthélemy 7.82 µg/m³ compare
More development goals data for United Kingdom
- Red List Index 0.9592 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 0.4861 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 3,800 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 280 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 271 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 157 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 171 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 263 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 335 (2025)
- Infant deaths 2,835 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in United Kingdom?
- Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) in United Kingdom was 7.95 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 13.05 µg/m³ in 2011.
- What is the lowest annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.95 µg/m³ in 2023.
- How does United Kingdom rank for annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted)?
- United Kingdom ranks 195th out of 256 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (population-weighted) rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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).