South Africa vs South Sudan: Exposure to outdoor air pollution
South Africa
24.4 µg/m³
in 2024
South Sudan
24.1 µg/m³
in 2024
South Africa rank
64th
South Sudan rank
65th
Exposure to outdoor air pollution over time
- South Africa
- South Sudan
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 24.4 µg/m³ against 24.1 µg/m³ in South Sudan, a difference of 0.3 µg/m³.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 27 shared years of data; in 1998 it was South Sudan ahead.
South Africa ranks 64th and South Sudan ranks 65th of 241 countries.
South Sudan has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | South Sudan | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.1 µg/m³ | 22.3 µg/m³ | 2.2 µg/m³ | South Sudan |
| 2000s | 21.24 µg/m³ | 25.66 µg/m³ | 4.42 µg/m³ | South Sudan |
| 2010s | 22.62 µg/m³ | 26.69 µg/m³ | 4.07 µg/m³ | South Sudan |
| 2020s | 23.44 µg/m³ | 23.54 µg/m³ | 0.1 µg/m³ | South Sudan |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher exposure to outdoor air pollution, South Africa or South Sudan?
- South Africa, at 24.4 µg/m³ against 24.1 µg/m³ in South Sudan as of 2024.
- What is the difference in exposure to outdoor air pollution between South Africa and South Sudan?
- 0.3 µg/m³, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and South Sudan?
- 27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
- How do South Africa and South Sudan rank globally for exposure to outdoor air pollution?
- South Africa ranks 64th and South Sudan ranks 65th of 241 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- SatPM, Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as Exposure to outdoor air pollution. 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.