Average nitrate concentration in freshwater in Spain

Spain: Average nitrate concentration in freshwater was 36.93 milligrams per litre in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
36.93 milligrams per litre
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
2nd
of 34 countries
All-time high
39.22 milligrams per litre
in 2018
All-time low
4 milligrams per litre
in 1999
Years of data
20
1993–2021

Average nitrate concentration in freshwater in Spain, 1993–2021

0102030401993200720211993: 9.9 milligrams per litre1994: 9.9 milligrams per litre1995: 9.4 milligrams per litre1996: 12.6 milligrams per litre1997: 12.6 milligrams per litre1999: 4 milligrams per litre2000: 6.1 milligrams per litre2001: 8.4 milligrams per litre2002: 27 milligrams per litre2003: 26.7 milligrams per litre2004: 34.8 milligrams per litre2005: 38.4 milligrams per litre2006: 38.6 milligrams per litre2015: 33.8 milligrams per litre2016: 27.7 milligrams per litre2017: 35.5 milligrams per litre2018: 39.2 milligrams per litre2019: 38.1 milligrams per litre2020: 36.7 milligrams per litre2021: 36.9 milligrams per litre

Source: European Environment Agency (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in milligrams per litre.

Analysis

The most recent figure for average nitrate concentration in freshwater in Spain is 36.93 milligrams per litre, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 9.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, average nitrate concentration in freshwater in Spain peaked at 39.22 milligrams per litre in 2018 and was at its lowest, 4 milligrams per litre, in 1999.

That places Spain 2nd out of 34 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 9.72 milligrams per litre 4 milligrams per litre 12.57 milligrams per litre 6
2000s 25.69 milligrams per litre 6.07 milligrams per litre 38.6 milligrams per litre 7
2010s 34.85 milligrams per litre 27.65 milligrams per litre 39.22 milligrams per litre 5
2020s 36.81 milligrams per litre 36.7 milligrams per litre 36.93 milligrams per litre 2

Countries ranked near Spain

  1. 1 Greece 115.65 milligrams per litre compare
  2. 4 Bulgaria 29.34 milligrams per litre compare
  3. 5 Belgium 27.71 milligrams per litre compare

See the full ranking of 34 places →

More environment data for Spain

All data for Spain →

Frequently asked questions

What is average nitrate concentration in freshwater in Spain?
Average nitrate concentration in freshwater in Spain was 36.93 milligrams per litre in 2021, according to European Environment Agency (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest average nitrate concentration in freshwater recorded in Spain?
The highest recorded value was 39.22 milligrams per litre in 2018.
What is the lowest average nitrate concentration in freshwater recorded in Spain?
The lowest recorded value was 4 milligrams per litre in 1999.
How does Spain rank for average nitrate concentration in freshwater?
Spain ranks 2nd out of 34 countries with data for 2021.
Is average nitrate concentration in freshwater rising or falling in Spain?
Over the last ten years it is up 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Spain data come from?
The figures come from European Environment Agency (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average nitrate concentration in freshwater. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 20 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Average nitrate concentration in freshwater
Unit
milligrams per litre
Source
European Environment Agency (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
34 places, 655 data points, 1992–2021
Last refreshed

Average annual concentration of nitrate in groundwater.