PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in North America
North America: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 6.92 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▼ Falling
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in North America, 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
North America recorded 6.92 micrograms per cubic meter for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 34 years on record.
The figure is down 5.4% on the previous year and down 16.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in North America peaked at 15.3 micrograms per cubic meter in 1991 and was at its lowest, 6.92 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2023.
North America ranks 45th of 45 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 34 years of available data.
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in North America, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 15.26 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 15.3 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 15.16 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 15.03 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 1994 | 14.9 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 15.11 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.4% |
| 1996 | 14.63 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.2% |
| 1997 | 14.5 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 1998 | 14.37 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 1999 | 14.24 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 2000 | 13.93 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 13.28 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.7% |
| 2002 | 13.15 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 2003 | 12.88 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 12.13 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.8% |
| 2005 | 12.87 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.1% |
| 2006 | 11.4 micrograms per cubic meter | -11.5% |
| 2007 | 10.59 micrograms per cubic meter | -7.1% |
| 2008 | 10.08 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.8% |
| 2009 | 9.17 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.0% |
| 2010 | 9.09 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 2011 | 9.23 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 8.53 micrograms per cubic meter | -7.6% |
| 2013 | 8.3 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.8% |
| 2014 | 8.31 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 7.99 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.9% |
| 2016 | 7.26 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.1% |
| 2017 | 7.61 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.8% |
| 2018 | 7.69 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 7.18 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.6% |
| 2020 | 7.56 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 8.19 micrograms per cubic meter | +8.4% |
| 2022 | 7.32 micrograms per cubic meter | -10.6% |
| 2023 | 6.92 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 14.85 micrograms per cubic meter | 14.24 micrograms per cubic meter | 15.3 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 11.95 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.17 micrograms per cubic meter | 13.93 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.12 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.18 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.23 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.5 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.92 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.19 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near North America
- 42 Syria 32.06 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 43 China 31.99 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 44 Gabon 31.32 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 45 Turkmenistan 31.25 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 46 Uganda 31.21 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 47 Peru 31.09 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 48 Honduras 30.72 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for North America
- Population in the largest city 8.3% (2025)
- Population density 21.01 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 3.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in North America?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in North America was 6.92 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 North America?
- The highest recorded value was 15.3 micrograms per cubic meter in 1991.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in North America?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.92 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
- How does North America rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- North America ranks 45th out of 45 groups with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in North America?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this North America 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.