China vs Mongolia: Exposure to air pollution from human sources
Exposure to air pollution from human sources over time
- China
- Mongolia
How they compare
China currently reports 29.57 micrograms per cubic meter against 29.35 micrograms per cubic meter in Mongolia, a difference of 0.22 micrograms per cubic meter.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 27 shared years of data; in 1998 it was Mongolia ahead.
China ranks 24th and Mongolia ranks 26th of 240 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, China averaged higher in 2 and Mongolia in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Mongolia | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 26.33 micrograms per cubic meter | 27.09 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.765 micrograms per cubic meter | Mongolia |
| 2000s | 38.62 micrograms per cubic meter | 30.25 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.37 micrograms per cubic meter | China |
| 2010s | 41.99 micrograms per cubic meter | 33.47 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.52 micrograms per cubic meter | China |
| 2020s | 29.44 micrograms per cubic meter | 32.18 micrograms per cubic meter | 2.73 micrograms per cubic meter | Mongolia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher exposure to air pollution from human sources, China or Mongolia?
- China, at 29.57 micrograms per cubic meter against 29.35 micrograms per cubic meter in Mongolia as of 2024.
- What is the difference in exposure to air pollution from human sources between China and Mongolia?
- 0.22 micrograms per cubic meter, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Mongolia?
- 27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
- How do China and Mongolia rank globally for exposure to air pollution from human sources?
- China ranks 24th and Mongolia ranks 26th 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.