Emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Emissions of air pollutants was 1.06 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.06 million tonnes
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
22nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.06 million tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
1,323 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh stood at 1.06 million tonnes. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.0% on the previous year and up 67.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh peaked at 1.06 million tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 1,323 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Bangladesh 22nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1,323 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1,325 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 1,328 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 1,330 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 1,333 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 1,335 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 1,337 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 1,340 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 1,342 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 1,345 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 1,347 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 1,349 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 1,352 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 1,354 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 1,357 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 1,359 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 1,362 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 1,364 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 1,367 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 1,369 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 1,371 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 1,374 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 1,376 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 1,379 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 1,381 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 1,384 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 1,386 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 1,389 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 1,391 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 1,394 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 1,396 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 1,399 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 1,401 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 1,404 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 1,406 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 1,409 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 1,411 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 1,414 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 1,416 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 1,419 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 1,421 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 1,424 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 1,427 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 1,429 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 1,432 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 1,434 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 1,437 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 1,439 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 1,442 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 1,445 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 1,447 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 1,452 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 1,457 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1803 | 1,462 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1804 | 1,467 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1805 | 1,472 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1806 | 1,477 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1807 | 1,482 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1808 | 1,487 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1809 | 1,492 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1810 | 1,497 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1811 | 1,513 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1812 | 1,528 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1813 | 1,544 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1814 | 1,559 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1815 | 1,575 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1816 | 1,590 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1817 | 1,606 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1818 | 1,622 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1819 | 1,637 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1820 | 1,653 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1821 | 1,670 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1822 | 1,687 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1823 | 1,704 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1824 | 1,721 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1825 | 1,738 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1826 | 1,755 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1827 | 1,772 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1828 | 1,790 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1829 | 1,807 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1830 | 1,824 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1831 | 1,843 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1832 | 1,862 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1833 | 1,880 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1834 | 1,899 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1835 | 1,918 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1836 | 1,937 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1837 | 1,956 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1838 | 1,975 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1839 | 1,994 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1840 | 2,013 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1841 | 2,033 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1842 | 2,054 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1843 | 2,074 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1844 | 2,095 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1845 | 2,116 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1846 | 2,136 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1847 | 2,157 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1848 | 2,178 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1849 | 2,199 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1850 | 2,220 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1851 | 2,246 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1852 | 2,271 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1853 | 2,297 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1854 | 2,323 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1855 | 2,349 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1856 | 2,376 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 2,402 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 2,429 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1859 | 2,455 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1860 | 2,482 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1861 | 2,506 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1862 | 2,529 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1863 | 2,553 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1864 | 2,576 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1865 | 2,600 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1866 | 2,624 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1867 | 2,648 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1868 | 2,672 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1869 | 2,697 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1870 | 2,782 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1871 | 3,225 tonnes | +15.9% |
| 1872 | 3,249 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1873 | 3,273 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1874 | 3,298 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1875 | 3,322 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1876 | 3,346 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1877 | 3,371 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1878 | 3,396 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1879 | 3,420 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1880 | 3,445 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1881 | 3,485 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1882 | 3,525 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1883 | 3,565 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1884 | 3,606 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1885 | 3,647 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1886 | 3,688 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1887 | 3,729 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1888 | 3,780 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1889 | 3,830 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1890 | 3,882 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1891 | 3,933 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1892 | 3,984 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1893 | 4,036 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1894 | 4,088 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1895 | 4,140 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1896 | 4,193 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1897 | 4,246 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1898 | 4,300 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1899 | 4,353 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1900 | 4,408 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1901 | 4,843 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1902 | 5,289 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1903 | 5,743 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1904 | 6,207 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1905 | 6,681 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1906 | 7,179 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1907 | 7,686 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1908 | 8,204 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1909 | 8,733 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1910 | 9,269 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1911 | 9,778 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1912 | 10,280 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1913 | 10,786 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1914 | 11,296 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1915 | 11,808 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1916 | 12,326 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1917 | 12,847 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1918 | 13,372 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1919 | 13,899 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1920 | 14,432 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1921 | 14,899 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1922 | 15,431 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1923 | 16,018 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1924 | 16,546 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1925 | 17,222 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1926 | 17,817 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1927 | 18,374 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1928 | 18,921 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1929 | 19,510 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1930 | 19,972 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1931 | 20,444 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1932 | 20,854 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1933 | 21,315 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1934 | 21,772 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1935 | 22,232 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1936 | 22,842 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1937 | 23,446 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1938 | 24,040 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1939 | 24,627 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1940 | 25,208 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1941 | 25,860 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1942 | 26,439 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1943 | 27,082 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1944 | 27,740 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1945 | 28,356 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1946 | 29,295 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1947 | 17,023 tonnes | -41.9% |
| 1948 | 17,246 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1949 | 18,478 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1950 | 23,720 tonnes | +28.4% |
| 1951 | 25,379 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1952 | 26,586 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1953 | 27,970 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1954 | 29,369 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1955 | 30,620 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1956 | 32,024 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1957 | 33,239 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1958 | 35,270 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1959 | 36,288 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1960 | 38,209 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1961 | 38,363 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1962 | 41,010 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1963 | 47,304 tonnes | +15.3% |
| 1964 | 47,083 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1965 | 50,888 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1966 | 55,948 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1967 | 61,592 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1968 | 65,860 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1969 | 73,978 tonnes | +12.3% |
| 1970 | 73,744 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1971 | 72,052 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1972 | 73,314 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1973 | 77,392 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1974 | 84,634 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1975 | 95,651 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1976 | 99,192 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1977 | 106,063 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1978 | 112,153 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1979 | 124,098 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 1980 | 131,621 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1981 | 126,089 tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1982 | 135,657 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1983 | 143,165 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1984 | 148,294 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 164,017 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1986 | 176,236 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1987 | 184,745 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1988 | 195,229 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1989 | 215,899 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1990 | 215,533 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1991 | 228,269 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1992 | 244,964 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1993 | 255,189 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1994 | 266,386 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1995 | 301,990 tonnes | +13.4% |
| 1996 | 314,862 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1997 | 324,578 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1998 | 331,463 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1999 | 345,642 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2000 | 341,858 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 373,156 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 2002 | 381,463 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 387,709 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 407,865 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 433,520 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 2006 | 453,492 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 2007 | 464,071 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 495,188 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 2009 | 500,569 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 538,428 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 2011 | 591,642 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 2012 | 634,523 tonnes | +7.2% |
| 2013 | 650,453 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 700,716 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 2015 | 727,738 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 2016 | 776,180 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 2017 | 838,100 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 2018 | 902,768 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 2019 | 912,009 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 845,928 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2021 | 1.04 million tonnes | +23.4% |
| 2022 | 1.06 million tonnes | +2.0% |
Bangladesh compared with similar countries
- Bangladesh's 1.06 million tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 14.4× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Bangladesh's 1.06 million tonnes is above the median for South Asia, which is 270,525 tonnes, 3.9× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | -41.9% | 29,295 tonnes | 17,023 tonnes |
| 1950 | +28.4% | 18,478 tonnes | 23,720 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 1,334 tonnes | 1,323 tonnes | 1,345 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 1,358 tonnes | 1,347 tonnes | 1,369 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 1,383 tonnes | 1,371 tonnes | 1,394 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 1,408 tonnes | 1,396 tonnes | 1,419 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 1,433 tonnes | 1,421 tonnes | 1,445 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 1,470 tonnes | 1,447 tonnes | 1,492 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 1,567 tonnes | 1,497 tonnes | 1,637 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 1,730 tonnes | 1,653 tonnes | 1,807 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 1,909 tonnes | 1,824 tonnes | 1,994 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 2,106 tonnes | 2,013 tonnes | 2,199 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 2,337 tonnes | 2,220 tonnes | 2,455 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2,589 tonnes | 2,482 tonnes | 2,697 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 3,268 tonnes | 2,782 tonnes | 3,420 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 3,630 tonnes | 3,445 tonnes | 3,830 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 4,116 tonnes | 3,882 tonnes | 4,353 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 6,497 tonnes | 4,408 tonnes | 8,733 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 11,566 tonnes | 9,269 tonnes | 13,899 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 16,917 tonnes | 14,432 tonnes | 19,510 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 22,154 tonnes | 19,972 tonnes | 24,627 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 24,273 tonnes | 17,023 tonnes | 29,295 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 30,046 tonnes | 23,720 tonnes | 36,288 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 52,024 tonnes | 38,209 tonnes | 73,978 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 91,829 tonnes | 72,052 tonnes | 124,098 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 162,095 tonnes | 126,089 tonnes | 215,899 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 282,888 tonnes | 215,533 tonnes | 345,642 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 423,889 tonnes | 341,858 tonnes | 500,569 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 727,256 tonnes | 538,428 tonnes | 912,009 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 984,773 tonnes | 845,928 tonnes | 1.06 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Bangladesh
More environment data for Bangladesh
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.59 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -2.3 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.236 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.67 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.31 % 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 -2.43 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Bangladesh was 1.06 million tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Bangladesh?
- The highest recorded value was 1.06 million tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Bangladesh?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,323 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Bangladesh rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Bangladesh ranks 22nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Bangladesh?
- Over the last ten years it is up 67.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bangladesh data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are gases that are mainly formed during the burning of fossil fuels. Exposure to NOₓ gases can have negative impacts on respiratory health. NOₓ gases can also lead to the formation of ozone – another air pollutant.