Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany
Germany: Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 was 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. ▼ Falling
Latest (2023)
8.81 micrograms per cubic meter
Change on year
down 8.7%
World rank
163rd
of 200 countries
All-time high
22.36 micrograms per cubic meter
in 1990
All-time low
8.81 micrograms per cubic meter
in 2023
Years of data
34
1990–2023
Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany, 1990–2023
Source: Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in micrograms per cubic meter.
Analysis
In 2023, particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany stood at 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter. That is the lowest value across all 34 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.7% on the previous year and down 35.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany peaked at 22.36 micrograms per cubic meter in 1990 and was at its lowest, 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter, in 2023.
Germany ranks 163rd 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.
Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 22.36 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1991 | 22.23 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.6% |
| 1992 | 21.86 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.7% |
| 1993 | 21.49 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.7% |
| 1994 | 21.12 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.7% |
| 1995 | 21.22 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.5% |
| 1996 | 20.39 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.9% |
| 1997 | 20.02 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 19.65 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.8% |
| 1999 | 19.28 micrograms per cubic meter | -1.9% |
| 2000 | 18.68 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.1% |
| 2001 | 17.56 micrograms per cubic meter | -6.0% |
| 2002 | 18.23 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.8% |
| 2003 | 18.91 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.7% |
| 2004 | 16.72 micrograms per cubic meter | -11.6% |
| 2005 | 17.03 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 15.76 micrograms per cubic meter | -7.5% |
| 2007 | 14.89 micrograms per cubic meter | -5.5% |
| 2008 | 14.52 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.5% |
| 2009 | 15.37 micrograms per cubic meter | +5.9% |
| 2010 | 15.84 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 15.46 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 12.95 micrograms per cubic meter | -16.2% |
| 2013 | 13.56 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.6% |
| 2014 | 13.43 micrograms per cubic meter | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 12.13 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.6% |
| 2016 | 11.8 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 11.9 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 12.27 micrograms per cubic meter | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 9.96 micrograms per cubic meter | -18.9% |
| 2020 | 9.06 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.0% |
| 2021 | 9.9 micrograms per cubic meter | +9.3% |
| 2022 | 9.65 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.6% |
| 2023 | 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter | -8.7% |
Germany compared with similar countries
- Germany's 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter is below the median for high income countries, which is 10.06 micrograms per cubic meter, 88% of the median. (70 countries reporting)
- Germany's 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 12.88 micrograms per cubic meter, 68% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.96 micrograms per cubic meter | 19.28 micrograms per cubic meter | 22.36 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.77 micrograms per cubic meter | 14.52 micrograms per cubic meter | 18.91 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.93 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.96 micrograms per cubic meter | 15.84 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.36 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.9 micrograms per cubic meter | 4 |
Countries ranked near Germany
- 160 Seychelles 9.26 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 161 Andorra 8.88 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 162 Saint Kitts and Nevis 8.87 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 164 Portugal 8.77 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 165 Netherlands 8.59 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 166 Belgium 8.45 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More reference data data for Germany
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.6 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 16.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 15.41 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 9.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.87 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 80.38 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 10.56 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany?
- Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 in Germany was 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, according to Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 recorded in Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 22.36 micrograms per cubic meter in 1990.
- What is the lowest particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.81 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023.
- How does Germany rank for particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017?
- Germany ranks 163rd out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017 rising or falling in Germany?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Germany data come from?
- The figures come from Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Particulate matter exposure in 1990 vs. 2017. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Population-weighted average level of exposure to concentrations of suspended particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Exposure is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).