PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 7.84 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▬ Flat
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico, 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
The most recent figure for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico is 7.84 micrograms per cubic meter, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 23.7% on the previous year and up 19.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico peaked at 8.38 micrograms per cubic meter in 2021 and was at its lowest, 6.18 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2011.
Puerto Rico ranks 170th of 200 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 7.62 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 7.46 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.2% |
| 1992 | 7.5 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 7.53 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 7.57 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 7.2 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.9% |
| 1996 | 7.65 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.2% |
| 1997 | 7.69 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 7.72 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 7.76 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 8 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.1% |
| 2001 | 7.82 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.3% |
| 2002 | 7.67 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.8% |
| 2003 | 7.17 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.6% |
| 2004 | 6.42 micrograms per cubic meter | -10.4% |
| 2005 | 6.93 micrograms per cubic meter | +7.9% |
| 2006 | 7.35 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.1% |
| 2007 | 7.13 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.0% |
| 2008 | 6.89 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.4% |
| 2009 | 6.88 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.0% |
| 2010 | 7.76 micrograms per cubic meter | +12.7% |
| 2011 | 6.18 micrograms per cubic meter | -20.4% |
| 2012 | 7.28 micrograms per cubic meter | +17.9% |
| 2013 | 6.54 micrograms per cubic meter | -10.2% |
| 2014 | 6.58 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 6.69 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 7.04 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 8.19 micrograms per cubic meter | +16.3% |
| 2018 | 8.2 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 7.82 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.7% |
| 2020 | 8.16 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 8.38 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 6.34 micrograms per cubic meter | -24.4% |
| 2023 | 7.84 micrograms per cubic meter | +23.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7.57 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.2 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.76 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.23 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.42 micrograms per cubic meter | 8 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.23 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.18 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.2 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.68 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.34 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.38 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Puerto Rico
- 167 Antigua and Barbuda 8.42 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 168 Switzerland 8.32 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 169 France 8.23 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 171 Brunei 7.57 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 172 Ireland 7.51 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 173 Denmark 7.5 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for Puerto Rico
- Population in the largest city 81.0% (2025)
- Population density 361.19 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.7641 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 2.43 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual -0.1207 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per unit 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 275.04 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Population in largest city 2.43 million (2025)
- Crude steelmaking capacity 0 Tonnes (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 3.7% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Puerto Rico was 7.84 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 Puerto Rico?
- The highest recorded value was 8.38 micrograms per cubic meter in 2021.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Puerto Rico?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.18 micrograms per cubic meter in 2011.
- How does Puerto Rico rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- Puerto Rico ranks 170th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in Puerto Rico?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Puerto Rico 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.