Belgium vs Germany: Exposure to air pollution from human sources
Exposure to air pollution from human sources over time
- Belgium
- Germany
How they compare
Germany currently reports 8.54 micrograms per cubic meter against 8.52 micrograms per cubic meter in Belgium, a difference of 0.02 micrograms per cubic meter.
The two have swapped places 10 times across 27 shared years of data; in 1998 it was Germany ahead.
Belgium ranks 147th and Germany ranks 146th of 240 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, Belgium averaged higher in 3 and Germany in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Belgium | Germany | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 14.76 micrograms per cubic meter | 15.2 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.44 micrograms per cubic meter | Germany |
| 2000s | 14.53 micrograms per cubic meter | 14.11 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.419 micrograms per cubic meter | Belgium |
| 2010s | 12.44 micrograms per cubic meter | 12.11 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.334 micrograms per cubic meter | Belgium |
| 2020s | 8.64 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.47 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.166 micrograms per cubic meter | Belgium |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher exposure to air pollution from human sources, Belgium or Germany?
- Germany, at 8.54 micrograms per cubic meter against 8.52 micrograms per cubic meter in Belgium as of 2024.
- What is the difference in exposure to air pollution from human sources between Belgium and Germany?
- 0.02 micrograms per cubic meter, with Germany ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Belgium and Germany?
- 27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
- How do Belgium and Germany rank globally for exposure to air pollution from human sources?
- Belgium ranks 147th and Germany ranks 146th of 240 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as Exposure to air pollution from human sources. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Annual population-weighted average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air, measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can pose significant health risks. This data excludes natural sources of PM2.5, such as dust and sea salt, to focus on human-caused pollution.