PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Africa Western and Central
Africa Western and Central: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 50.42 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▬ Flat
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Africa Western and Central, 1990–2023
Source: Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023) Air Pollution Exposure Estimates and Risk Curves 1990-2023, GBD Collaborator Network. Measured in micrograms per cubic meter.
Analysis
Africa Western and Central recorded 50.42 micrograms per cubic meter for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in 2023.
The figure is down 6.0% on the previous year and up 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Africa Western and Central peaked at 58.86 micrograms per cubic meter in 2015 and was at its lowest, 42.07 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2003.
Africa Western and Central ranks 4th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Africa Western and Central, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 51.1 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 49.99 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.2% |
| 1992 | 50.22 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 50.47 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 50.72 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 48.19 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.0% |
| 1996 | 51.2 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.2% |
| 1997 | 51.42 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 51.64 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 51.88 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 53.51 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.1% |
| 2001 | 45.68 micrograms per cubic meter | -14.6% |
| 2002 | 49.11 micrograms per cubic meter | +7.5% |
| 2003 | 42.07 micrograms per cubic meter | -14.3% |
| 2004 | 51.93 micrograms per cubic meter | +23.4% |
| 2005 | 46.7 micrograms per cubic meter | -10.1% |
| 2006 | 50.29 micrograms per cubic meter | +7.7% |
| 2007 | 53.17 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.7% |
| 2008 | 53.23 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 48.24 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.4% |
| 2010 | 46.63 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 49.17 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.5% |
| 2012 | 48.61 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.1% |
| 2013 | 42.62 micrograms per cubic meter | -12.3% |
| 2014 | 43.8 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 58.86 micrograms per cubic meter | +34.4% |
| 2016 | 54.33 micrograms per cubic meter | -7.7% |
| 2017 | 53.06 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 47.26 micrograms per cubic meter | -10.9% |
| 2019 | 44.58 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 49.71 micrograms per cubic meter | +11.5% |
| 2021 | 49.34 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 53.62 micrograms per cubic meter | +8.7% |
| 2023 | 50.42 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 50.68 micrograms per cubic meter | 48.19 micrograms per cubic meter | 51.88 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 49.39 micrograms per cubic meter | 42.07 micrograms per cubic meter | 53.51 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 48.89 micrograms per cubic meter | 42.62 micrograms per cubic meter | 58.86 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 50.77 micrograms per cubic meter | 49.34 micrograms per cubic meter | 53.62 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Africa Western and Central
- 1 Qatar 107.76 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 2 Saudi Arabia 73.52 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 3 Bangladesh 69.25 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 4 Nigeria 65.74 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 5 Niger 65.23 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 6 Kuwait 62.35 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 7 Pakistan 58.37 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for Africa Western and Central
- Population in the largest city 22.1% (2025)
- Population density 56.19 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Africa Western and Central?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Africa Western and Central was 50.42 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, according to Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023) Air Pollution Exposure Estimates and Risk Curves 1990-2023, GBD Collaborator Network.
- What is the highest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The highest recorded value was 58.86 micrograms per cubic meter in 2015.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Africa Western and Central?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.07 micrograms per cubic meter in 2003.
- How does Africa Western and Central rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- Africa Western and Central ranks 4th out of 47 groups with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in Africa Western and Central?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Africa Western and Central data come from?
- The figures come from Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 (GBD 2023) Air Pollution Exposure Estimates and Risk Curves 1990-2023, GBD Collaborator Network, published as part of PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure (micrograms per cubic meter). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population-weighted exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution is defined as the average level of exposure of a nation's population to concentrations of suspended particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter, which are capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory tract and causing severe health damage. Exposure is calculated by weighting mean annual concentrations of PM2.5 by population in both urban and rural areas.