PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 35.44 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▬ Flat
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa, 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 Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 35.44 micrograms per cubic meter.
The figure is down 5.2% on the previous year and up 4.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 39.82 micrograms per cubic meter in 2015 and was at its lowest, 31.73 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2003.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 19th of 45 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 34.76 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 34.07 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.0% |
| 1992 | 34.26 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 34.43 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 34.59 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 33 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.6% |
| 1996 | 34.96 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.9% |
| 1997 | 35.15 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 35.33 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 35.52 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 36.61 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.1% |
| 2001 | 34.58 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.5% |
| 2002 | 35.13 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.6% |
| 2003 | 31.73 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.7% |
| 2004 | 36.04 micrograms per cubic meter | +13.6% |
| 2005 | 33.87 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.0% |
| 2006 | 35.66 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.3% |
| 2007 | 37.2 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 37.48 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 34.97 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.7% |
| 2010 | 35.69 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 36.29 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 36 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 33.78 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.2% |
| 2014 | 32.4 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.1% |
| 2015 | 39.82 micrograms per cubic meter | +22.9% |
| 2016 | 37.35 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 36.31 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 33.99 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.4% |
| 2019 | 33.72 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.8% |
| 2020 | 35.41 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.0% |
| 2021 | 35.17 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.7% |
| 2022 | 37.39 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.3% |
| 2023 | 35.44 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 34.61 micrograms per cubic meter | 33 micrograms per cubic meter | 35.52 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 35.33 micrograms per cubic meter | 31.73 micrograms per cubic meter | 37.48 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 35.54 micrograms per cubic meter | 32.4 micrograms per cubic meter | 39.82 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.85 micrograms per cubic meter | 35.17 micrograms per cubic meter | 37.39 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 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
- 19 Mongolia 42.69 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 20 Equatorial Guinea 42.22 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 21 Senegal 41.65 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 22 Djibouti 40.3 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Population in the largest city 25.4% (2025)
- Population density 52.66 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
- Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen 479.49 million (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa was 35.44 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 Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 39.82 micrograms per cubic meter in 2015.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.73 micrograms per cubic meter in 2003.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 19th out of 45 groups with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa 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.