France vs Spain: Exposure to air pollution from human sources
Exposure to air pollution from human sources over time
- France
- Spain
How they compare
France currently reports 7.84 micrograms per cubic meter against 7.63 micrograms per cubic meter in Spain, a difference of 0.21 micrograms per cubic meter.
Across all 27 years both countries report, France has been ahead every year.
France ranks 155th and Spain ranks 158th of 240 countries.
France has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | France | Spain | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 13.62 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.66 micrograms per cubic meter | 3.96 micrograms per cubic meter | France |
| 2000s | 12.47 micrograms per cubic meter | 10.13 micrograms per cubic meter | 2.34 micrograms per cubic meter | France |
| 2010s | 10.91 micrograms per cubic meter | 8.25 micrograms per cubic meter | 2.66 micrograms per cubic meter | France |
| 2020s | 8.23 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.61 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.618 micrograms per cubic meter | France |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher exposure to air pollution from human sources, France or Spain?
- France, at 7.84 micrograms per cubic meter against 7.63 micrograms per cubic meter in Spain as of 2024.
- What is the difference in exposure to air pollution from human sources between France and Spain?
- 0.21 micrograms per cubic meter, with France ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for France and Spain?
- 27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
- How do France and Spain rank globally for exposure to air pollution from human sources?
- France ranks 155th and Spain ranks 158th 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.