Norfolk Island vs Tonga: Exposure to air pollution from human sources
Exposure to air pollution from human sources over time
- Norfolk Island
- Tonga
How they compare
Norfolk Island currently reports 1.71 micrograms per cubic meter against 1.52 micrograms per cubic meter in Tonga, a difference of 0.19 micrograms per cubic meter.
That makes Norfolk Island's figure about 1.1 times Tonga's.
The two have swapped places 12 times across 27 shared years of data; in 1998 it was Norfolk Island ahead.
Norfolk Island ranks 222nd and Tonga ranks 225th of 240 countries.
Across the 4 decades both report, Norfolk Island averaged higher in 3 and Tonga in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Norfolk Island | Tonga | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.54 micrograms per cubic meter | 1.42 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.12 micrograms per cubic meter | Norfolk Island |
| 2000s | 1.71 micrograms per cubic meter | 1.73 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.014 micrograms per cubic meter | Tonga |
| 2010s | 1.68 micrograms per cubic meter | 1.51 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.167 micrograms per cubic meter | Norfolk Island |
| 2020s | 1.72 micrograms per cubic meter | 1.68 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.044 micrograms per cubic meter | Norfolk Island |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher exposure to air pollution from human sources, Norfolk Island or Tonga?
- Norfolk Island, at 1.71 micrograms per cubic meter against 1.52 micrograms per cubic meter in Tonga as of 2024.
- What is the difference in exposure to air pollution from human sources between Norfolk Island and Tonga?
- 0.19 micrograms per cubic meter, with Norfolk Island ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Norfolk Island and Tonga?
- 27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
- How do Norfolk Island and Tonga rank globally for exposure to air pollution from human sources?
- Norfolk Island ranks 222nd and Tonga ranks 225th 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.