Spain vs United Kingdom: Exposure to air pollution from human sources
Exposure to air pollution from human sources over time
- Spain
- United Kingdom
How they compare
United Kingdom currently reports 7.76 micrograms per cubic meter against 7.63 micrograms per cubic meter in Spain, a difference of 0.13 micrograms per cubic meter.
The two have swapped places 4 times across 27 shared years of data; in 1998 it was United Kingdom ahead.
Spain ranks 158th and United Kingdom ranks 156th of 240 countries.
United Kingdom has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Spain | United Kingdom | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 9.66 micrograms per cubic meter | 10.91 micrograms per cubic meter | 1.25 micrograms per cubic meter | United Kingdom |
| 2000s | 10.13 micrograms per cubic meter | 10.3 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.168 micrograms per cubic meter | United Kingdom |
| 2010s | 8.25 micrograms per cubic meter | 9.81 micrograms per cubic meter | 1.55 micrograms per cubic meter | United Kingdom |
| 2020s | 7.61 micrograms per cubic meter | 7.86 micrograms per cubic meter | 0.252 micrograms per cubic meter | United Kingdom |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher exposure to air pollution from human sources, Spain or United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom, at 7.76 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 Spain and United Kingdom?
- 0.13 micrograms per cubic meter, with United Kingdom ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Spain and United Kingdom?
- 27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
- How do Spain and United Kingdom rank globally for exposure to air pollution from human sources?
- Spain ranks 158th and United Kingdom ranks 156th 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.