Global average PM2.5 levels by year| ��ƽ��

Annual average particulate pollution (PM2.5) exposure levels worldwide from 2000 to 2023 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air)

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Release date

July 2026

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Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2000 to 2023

Supplementary notes

Indicator name: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure (micrograms per cubic meter)

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.

Release date is the date of access.

Citation formats

The global average exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) was **** micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in 2023—the lowest level recorded since the turn of the century. Despite this improvement, PM2.5 concentrations remained *** times higher than WHO air quality guidelines.

China cleans up its air

China has been a major driver of the global decline in air pollution in recent years. Since 2014—when the government declared a “war on air pollution”—annual PM2.5 levels have fallen by more than ** percent. Air quality in the capital has improved significantly, with average PM2.5 levels in Beijing more than halving over the past decade. Measures such as expanded air quality monitoring, low-emission zones, and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles have played a key role in this progress.

Air pollution's impact on health

Governments worldwide are tackling air pollution not only for environmental reasons but also because of its serious health impacts. Air pollution is thesecond-leading cause of death worldwide, for death globally, responsible for around million deaths each year. It is linked to major conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer, making it one of the most significant public health challenges today.