PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 36.56 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▬ Flat
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Least developed countries, 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
In 2023, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Least developed countries stood at 36.56 micrograms per cubic meter.
The figure is down 3.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Least developed countries peaked at 39.83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2012 and was at its lowest, 36.4 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2017.
That places Least developed countries 15th out of 45 groups with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 38.91 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 38.16 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.9% |
| 1992 | 38.18 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 38.19 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 38.17 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 36.62 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.1% |
| 1996 | 38.16 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.2% |
| 1997 | 38.16 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 38.17 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 38.19 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 38.96 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.0% |
| 2001 | 38.89 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 38.89 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 37.63 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 39.24 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 38.54 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 37.8 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.9% |
| 2007 | 37.9 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 38.74 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.2% |
| 2009 | 38.74 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 38.95 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 39.44 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 39.83 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 37.88 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.9% |
| 2014 | 36.55 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.5% |
| 2015 | 38.86 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 37.41 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.7% |
| 2017 | 36.4 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 38.48 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.7% |
| 2019 | 36.65 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.8% |
| 2020 | 37.2 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 37.41 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 36.54 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 36.56 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 38.09 micrograms per cubic meter | 36.62 micrograms per cubic meter | 38.91 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 38.53 micrograms per cubic meter | 37.63 micrograms per cubic meter | 39.24 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 38.05 micrograms per cubic meter | 36.4 micrograms per cubic meter | 39.83 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.93 micrograms per cubic meter | 36.54 micrograms per cubic meter | 37.41 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 12 Nepal 53.2 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 13 Iraq 49.47 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 14 Oman 46.86 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 15 Yemen 46.84 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 16 Mauritania 46.5 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 17 Egypt 43.15 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 18 Chad 42.96 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for Least developed countries
- Population in the largest city 32.9% (2025)
- Population density 56.97 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 Least developed countries?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Least developed countries was 36.56 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 Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 39.83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2012.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2017.
- How does Least developed countries rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- Least developed countries ranks 15th out of 45 groups with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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.