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India’s PM2.5 Air Pollution

#4 of 192 in the PM2.5 Air Pollution progress rankings

PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure (micrograms per cubic meter) represents the population-weighted exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter, capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory tract and causing health damage (lower is better).

Latest (2020)
48.4 µg/m³
Year-over-year
-11.5 µg/m³
Change since start (1990→2020)
-13.6 µg/m³

Key insights

  • From 1990 to 2020, PM2.5 Air Pollution changed by -13.6 µg/m³.
  • Most recent year-over-year change (2019→2020): -11.5 µg/m³.
  • Lowest level: 48.4 µg/m³ in 2020.
  • Highest level: 79.0 µg/m³ in 2014.

PM2.5 Air Pollution Chart (1990–2020)

*Average based on available data from 193 UN member countries

PM2.5 Air Pollution Table (1990–2020)

PM2.5 Air Pollution — India
Year PM2.5 Air Pollution
1990 62.0 µg/m³
1991 61.3 µg/m³
1992 60.7 µg/m³
1993 60.2 µg/m³
1994 59.8 µg/m³
1995 59.7 µg/m³
1996 59.7 µg/m³
1997 60.1 µg/m³
1998 60.6 µg/m³
1999 61.1 µg/m³
2000 61.5 µg/m³
2001 61.9 µg/m³
2002 62.4 µg/m³
2003 62.8 µg/m³
2004 62.9 µg/m³
2005 62.8 µg/m³
2006 61.2 µg/m³
2007 58.0 µg/m³
2008 54.4 µg/m³
2009 51.4 µg/m³
2010 50.1 µg/m³
2011 61.7 µg/m³
2012 74.0 µg/m³
2013 76.3 µg/m³
2014 79.0 µg/m³
2015 73.8 µg/m³
2016 75.8 µg/m³
2017 67.3 µg/m³
2018 68.1 µg/m³
2019 59.9 µg/m³
2020 48.4 µg/m³

Source: World Bank