PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Zambia
Zambia: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 20.24 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▬ Flat
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Zambia, 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 Zambia is 20.24 micrograms per cubic meter, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 13.8% on the previous year and down 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Zambia peaked at 25.47 micrograms per cubic meter in 2001 and was at its lowest, 19.45 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2020.
That places Zambia 81st out of 200 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Zambia, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 21.73 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 21.29 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.0% |
| 1992 | 21.41 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 21.52 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 21.64 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 20.64 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.6% |
| 1996 | 21.87 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.0% |
| 1997 | 21.99 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 22.11 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 22.22 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 22.9 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.0% |
| 2001 | 25.47 micrograms per cubic meter | +11.2% |
| 2002 | 23.11 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.3% |
| 2003 | 22.38 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.2% |
| 2004 | 21.64 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.3% |
| 2005 | 22.68 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.8% |
| 2006 | 22.7 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 23.25 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.4% |
| 2008 | 23.81 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.4% |
| 2009 | 23.07 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.1% |
| 2010 | 24.48 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.1% |
| 2011 | 22.48 micrograms per cubic meter | -8.2% |
| 2012 | 23 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 22.08 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 20.53 micrograms per cubic meter | -7.0% |
| 2015 | 22.76 micrograms per cubic meter | +10.8% |
| 2016 | 21.21 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.8% |
| 2017 | 19.82 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.6% |
| 2018 | 21.11 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.6% |
| 2019 | 22.12 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.8% |
| 2020 | 19.45 micrograms per cubic meter | -12.1% |
| 2021 | 19.59 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 23.49 micrograms per cubic meter | +19.9% |
| 2023 | 20.24 micrograms per cubic meter | -13.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 21.64 micrograms per cubic meter | 20.64 micrograms per cubic meter | 22.22 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 23.1 micrograms per cubic meter | 21.64 micrograms per cubic meter | 25.47 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 21.96 micrograms per cubic meter | 19.82 micrograms per cubic meter | 24.48 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.69 micrograms per cubic meter | 19.45 micrograms per cubic meter | 23.49 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 78 Nicaragua 20.42 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 79 Côte d'Ivoire 20.39 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 80 Kenya 20.25 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 82 Cape Verde 20.19 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 83 Tanzania, United Republic of 20.17 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 84 Kyrgyzstan 20.12 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for Zambia
- Population in the largest city 34.5% (2025)
- Population density 27.88 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.1584 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 3.47 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual 4.41 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per unit 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 4.28 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Population in largest city 3.47 million (2025)
- Crude steelmaking capacity 0.1 Tonnes (2025)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 83.1 Hectares (2020)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Zambia?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Zambia was 20.24 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 25.47 micrograms per cubic meter in 2001.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.45 micrograms per cubic meter in 2020.
- How does Zambia rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- Zambia ranks 81st out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zambia 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.