PM2.5 exposure by Country

Data insight

Global perspective

The world estimate was 32.9 µg/m³ in 2023, down 8.7% from 2013. Across the longer period from 2003, the global estimate changed by -3.82 µg/m³ (-10.4%). Latest country observations range from 1.64 µg/m³ in Greenland (2023) to 108 µg/m³ in Qatar (2023), with the middle country observation at 16.9 µg/m³; observation years may differ. Across the derived regional aggregates, Asia reports 40.2 µg/m³, while Oceania reports 8.25 µg/m³. Over roughly a decade, Asia changed by -5.22 µg/m³; Oceania changed by +0.102 µg/m³. Among countries with sufficient history, the largest absolute decade increase was +13.5 µg/m³ in Nigeria, while the largest decrease was -19.8 µg/m³ in China. Coverage includes 198 countries; their latest observation years span 2023-2023, with a median latest year of 2023.

Belgium over time

Belgium reports 8.45 µg/m³ in 2023. From 2013 to 2023, Belgium decreased by 7.23 µg/m³ (46.1%). From 2003 to 2023, Belgium decreased by 12.1 µg/m³ (58.9%). The latest decade changed by −7.23 µg/m³, versus −4.87 µg/m³ in the preceding decade, indicating a larger absolute movement.

Europe and world context

This is 2.85 µg/m³ below Europe (2023). This is 24.49 µg/m³ below the world estimate (2023). From 2013 to 2023, Europe decreased by 3.83 µg/m³ (25.3%). The latest decade changed by −3.83 µg/m³, versus −6.67 µg/m³ in the preceding decade, indicating a smaller absolute movement.

Belgium has the 164th-highest latest observation among 198 countries and 32nd among 42 countries in Europe. Latest observation years span 2023-2023, so ranks are descriptive rather than perfectly synchronized.

Regional spread: Asia is at 40.2 µg/m³ (2023), compared with 8.25 µg/m³ in Oceania (2023).
Largest observed decade increase: Nigeria changed by +13.5 µg/m³.
Largest observed decade decrease: China changed by -19.8 µg/m³.
Coverage: 198 countries; the median latest observation is 2023, with latest country observations spanning 2023-2023.

PM2.5 exposure

World Bank