PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Canada
Canada: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure was 6.55 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▼ Falling
PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Canada, 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 Canada stood at 6.55 micrograms per cubic meter.
That represents a change of up 2.5% on the previous year and down 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Canada peaked at 9.45 micrograms per cubic meter in 1991 and was at its lowest, 6.03 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2020.
Canada ranks 179th of 200 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 34 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 9.25 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.98 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.45 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.33 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.37 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.95 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.01 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.17 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.46 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter | 6.03 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.84 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 176 United States 6.97 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 177 New Zealand 6.88 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 178 United States Virgin Islands 6.79 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 180 Fiji 6.45 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 181 Australia 6.41 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 182 Estonia 5.92 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More urban development data for Canada
- Population in the largest city 18.8% (2025)
- Population density 4.56 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 18.32 million (2025)
- Population in largest city 6.49 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 0.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Canada?
- Pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure in Canada was 6.55 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 9.45 micrograms per cubic meter in 1991.
- What is the lowest pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.03 micrograms per cubic meter in 2020.
- How does Canada rank for pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure?
- Canada ranks 179th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is pm2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Canada 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.