Exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Exposure to air pollution from human sources was 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024. ▲ Rising
Exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1998–2024
Source: Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in micrograms per cubic meter.
Analysis
In 2024, exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo stood at 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter.
The figure is up 31.2% on the previous year and up 10.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 42.83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 and was at its lowest, 24.82 micrograms per cubic meter, in 1999.
That places Democratic Republic of Congo 4th out of 240 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 27 years of available data.
Exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | micrograms per cubic meter | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 31.78 micrograms per cubic meter | — |
| 1999 | 24.82 micrograms per cubic meter | -21.9% |
| 2000 | 31.73 micrograms per cubic meter | +27.8% |
| 2001 | 36.62 micrograms per cubic meter | +15.4% |
| 2002 | 35.15 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.0% |
| 2003 | 33.6 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.4% |
| 2004 | 36.19 micrograms per cubic meter | +7.7% |
| 2005 | 36.26 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.2% |
| 2006 | 30.68 micrograms per cubic meter | -15.4% |
| 2007 | 33.81 micrograms per cubic meter | +10.2% |
| 2008 | 35.29 micrograms per cubic meter | +4.4% |
| 2009 | 34.55 micrograms per cubic meter | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 40.05 micrograms per cubic meter | +15.9% |
| 2011 | 38.75 micrograms per cubic meter | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 41.65 micrograms per cubic meter | +7.5% |
| 2013 | 42.83 micrograms per cubic meter | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 37.41 micrograms per cubic meter | -12.7% |
| 2015 | 41.69 micrograms per cubic meter | +11.4% |
| 2016 | 37.73 micrograms per cubic meter | -9.5% |
| 2017 | 34.74 micrograms per cubic meter | -7.9% |
| 2018 | 34.79 micrograms per cubic meter | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 37.36 micrograms per cubic meter | +7.4% |
| 2020 | 35.7 micrograms per cubic meter | -4.4% |
| 2021 | 36.19 micrograms per cubic meter | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 38.43 micrograms per cubic meter | +6.2% |
| 2023 | 31.44 micrograms per cubic meter | -18.2% |
| 2024 | 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter | +31.2% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter is above the median for low income countries, which is 18.3 micrograms per cubic meter, 2.3× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.28 micrograms per cubic meter, 2.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 28.3 micrograms per cubic meter | 24.82 micrograms per cubic meter | 31.78 micrograms per cubic meter | 2 |
| 2000s | 34.39 micrograms per cubic meter | 30.68 micrograms per cubic meter | 36.62 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2010s | 38.7 micrograms per cubic meter | 34.74 micrograms per cubic meter | 42.83 micrograms per cubic meter | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.6 micrograms per cubic meter | 31.44 micrograms per cubic meter | 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter | 5 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
- 1 Bangladesh 60.3 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 2 Qatar 56.44 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 3 Pakistan 44.81 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 5 India 40.76 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 6 Bolivia 40.62 micrograms per cubic meter compare
- 7 Rwanda 40.42 micrograms per cubic meter compare
More environment data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.26 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 5.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) (Mt CO2e) 0.338 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Exposure to air pollution from human sources in Democratic Republic of Congo was 41.26 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, according to Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exposure to air pollution from human sources recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 42.83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013.
- What is the lowest exposure to air pollution from human sources recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.82 micrograms per cubic meter in 1999.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for exposure to air pollution from human sources?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 4th out of 240 countries with data for 2024.
- Is exposure to air pollution from human sources rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Exposure to air pollution from human sources. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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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.