Long run air pollution in Belgium
Belgium: Long run air pollution was 750,371 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
750,371
Change on year
up 4.8%
World rank
33rd
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.16 million
in 2007
All-time low
2,725
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Long run air pollution in Belgium, 1750–2022
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
Belgium recorded 750,371 for long run air pollution in 2022.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and up 5.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, long run air pollution in Belgium peaked at 1.16 million in 2007 and was at its lowest, 2,725, in 1750.
Belgium ranks 33rd of 220 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Long run air pollution in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 2,725 | — |
| 1751 | 2,736 | +0.4% |
| 1752 | 2,746 | +0.4% |
| 1753 | 2,757 | +0.4% |
| 1754 | 2,768 | +0.4% |
| 1755 | 2,779 | +0.4% |
| 1756 | 2,789 | +0.4% |
| 1757 | 2,800 | +0.4% |
| 1758 | 2,811 | +0.4% |
| 1759 | 2,821 | +0.4% |
| 1760 | 2,832 | +0.4% |
| 1761 | 2,842 | +0.4% |
| 1762 | 2,853 | +0.4% |
| 1763 | 2,863 | +0.4% |
| 1764 | 2,873 | +0.4% |
| 1765 | 2,884 | +0.4% |
| 1766 | 2,894 | +0.4% |
| 1767 | 2,904 | +0.4% |
| 1768 | 2,915 | +0.4% |
| 1769 | 2,925 | +0.3% |
| 1770 | 2,935 | +0.3% |
| 1771 | 2,945 | +0.3% |
| 1772 | 2,955 | +0.3% |
| 1773 | 2,965 | +0.3% |
| 1774 | 2,975 | +0.3% |
| 1775 | 2,985 | +0.3% |
| 1776 | 2,995 | +0.3% |
| 1777 | 3,005 | +0.3% |
| 1778 | 3,015 | +0.3% |
| 1779 | 3,025 | +0.3% |
| 1780 | 3,034 | +0.3% |
| 1781 | 3,044 | +0.3% |
| 1782 | 3,054 | +0.3% |
| 1783 | 3,063 | +0.3% |
| 1784 | 3,073 | +0.3% |
| 1785 | 3,083 | +0.3% |
| 1786 | 3,092 | +0.3% |
| 1787 | 3,102 | +0.3% |
| 1788 | 3,111 | +0.3% |
| 1789 | 3,121 | +0.3% |
| 1790 | 3,130 | +0.3% |
| 1791 | 3,139 | +0.3% |
| 1792 | 3,149 | +0.3% |
| 1793 | 3,158 | +0.3% |
| 1794 | 3,167 | +0.3% |
| 1795 | 3,176 | +0.3% |
| 1796 | 3,185 | +0.3% |
| 1797 | 3,195 | +0.3% |
| 1798 | 3,204 | +0.3% |
| 1799 | 3,213 | +0.3% |
| 1800 | 3,222 | +0.3% |
| 1801 | 3,232 | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 12,323 | +281.3% |
| 1803 | 3,251 | -73.6% |
| 1804 | 3,261 | +0.3% |
| 1805 | 3,271 | +0.3% |
| 1806 | 3,281 | +0.3% |
| 1807 | 3,290 | +0.3% |
| 1808 | 3,300 | +0.3% |
| 1809 | 3,310 | +0.3% |
| 1810 | 3,319 | +0.3% |
| 1811 | 3,329 | +0.3% |
| 1812 | 3,338 | +0.3% |
| 1813 | 3,348 | +0.3% |
| 1814 | 3,358 | +0.3% |
| 1815 | 3,367 | +0.3% |
| 1816 | 3,376 | +0.3% |
| 1817 | 3,386 | +0.3% |
| 1818 | 3,395 | +0.3% |
| 1819 | 3,405 | +0.3% |
| 1820 | 3,414 | +0.3% |
| 1821 | 3,439 | +0.7% |
| 1822 | 3,464 | +0.7% |
| 1823 | 3,489 | +0.7% |
| 1824 | 3,514 | +0.7% |
| 1825 | 3,539 | +0.7% |
| 1826 | 3,564 | +0.7% |
| 1827 | 3,589 | +0.7% |
| 1828 | 3,614 | +0.7% |
| 1829 | 3,638 | +0.7% |
| 1830 | 12,459 | +242.4% |
| 1831 | 10,256 | -17.7% |
| 1832 | 10,622 | +3.6% |
| 1833 | 10,414 | -2.0% |
| 1834 | 10,203 | -2.0% |
| 1835 | 10,745 | +5.3% |
| 1836 | 11,992 | +11.6% |
| 1837 | 12,601 | +5.1% |
| 1838 | 12,725 | +1.0% |
| 1839 | 13,464 | +5.8% |
| 1840 | 14,894 | +10.6% |
| 1841 | 14,423 | -3.2% |
| 1842 | 14,872 | +3.1% |
| 1843 | 14,094 | -5.2% |
| 1844 | 15,119 | +7.3% |
| 1845 | 15,814 | +4.6% |
| 1846 | 17,052 | +7.8% |
| 1847 | 17,742 | +4.0% |
| 1848 | 16,049 | -9.5% |
| 1849 | 16,672 | +3.9% |
| 1850 | 17,474 | +4.8% |
| 1851 | 18,538 | +6.1% |
| 1852 | 20,083 | +8.3% |
| 1853 | 20,516 | +2.2% |
| 1854 | 22,126 | +7.8% |
| 1855 | 22,302 | +0.8% |
| 1856 | 22,184 | -0.5% |
| 1857 | 22,847 | +3.0% |
| 1858 | 23,829 | +4.3% |
| 1859 | 24,407 | +2.4% |
| 1860 | 24,830 | +1.7% |
| 1861 | 26,215 | +5.6% |
| 1862 | 25,988 | -0.9% |
| 1863 | 26,995 | +3.9% |
| 1864 | 28,011 | +3.8% |
| 1865 | 29,056 | +3.7% |
| 1866 | 31,274 | +7.6% |
| 1867 | 33,605 | +7.5% |
| 1868 | 31,306 | -6.8% |
| 1869 | 33,904 | +8.3% |
| 1870 | 38,321 | +13.0% |
| 1871 | 37,133 | -3.1% |
| 1872 | 39,704 | +6.9% |
| 1873 | 42,866 | +8.0% |
| 1874 | 39,826 | -7.1% |
| 1875 | 41,217 | +3.5% |
| 1876 | 40,153 | -2.6% |
| 1877 | 38,314 | -4.6% |
| 1878 | 41,077 | +7.2% |
| 1879 | 41,593 | +1.3% |
| 1880 | 45,502 | +9.4% |
| 1881 | 45,485 | -0.0% |
| 1882 | 47,804 | +5.1% |
| 1883 | 50,145 | +4.9% |
| 1884 | 49,028 | -2.2% |
| 1885 | 47,552 | -3.0% |
| 1886 | 46,379 | -2.5% |
| 1887 | 49,070 | +5.8% |
| 1888 | 52,126 | +6.2% |
| 1889 | 53,314 | +2.3% |
| 1890 | 57,279 | +7.4% |
| 1891 | 53,862 | -6.0% |
| 1892 | 53,567 | -0.5% |
| 1893 | 50,994 | -4.8% |
| 1894 | 55,596 | +9.0% |
| 1895 | 55,564 | -0.1% |
| 1896 | 58,877 | +6.0% |
| 1897 | 61,192 | +3.9% |
| 1898 | 62,989 | +2.9% |
| 1899 | 65,999 | +4.8% |
| 1900 | 69,538 | +5.4% |
| 1901 | 64,077 | -7.9% |
| 1902 | 66,790 | +4.2% |
| 1903 | 70,998 | +6.3% |
| 1904 | 67,444 | -5.0% |
| 1905 | 66,519 | -1.4% |
| 1906 | 75,278 | +13.2% |
| 1907 | 76,216 | +1.2% |
| 1908 | 75,234 | -1.3% |
| 1909 | 76,028 | +1.1% |
| 1910 | 80,806 | +6.3% |
| 1911 | 82,936 | +2.6% |
| 1912 | 88,658 | +6.9% |
| 1913 | 102,991 | +16.2% |
| 1914 | 58,283 | -43.4% |
| 1915 | 47,314 | -18.8% |
| 1916 | 62,074 | +31.2% |
| 1917 | 49,284 | -20.6% |
| 1918 | 51,024 | +3.5% |
| 1919 | 60,579 | +18.7% |
| 1920 | 75,769 | +25.1% |
| 1921 | 68,869 | -9.1% |
| 1922 | 81,974 | +19.0% |
| 1923 | 105,328 | +28.5% |
| 1924 | 113,448 | +7.7% |
| 1925 | 114,887 | +1.3% |
| 1926 | 116,893 | +1.7% |
| 1927 | 133,359 | +14.1% |
| 1928 | 135,700 | +1.8% |
| 1929 | 148,664 | +9.6% |
| 1930 | 143,540 | -3.4% |
| 1931 | 130,747 | -8.9% |
| 1932 | 110,129 | -15.8% |
| 1933 | 115,034 | +4.5% |
| 1934 | 122,091 | +6.1% |
| 1935 | 113,489 | -7.0% |
| 1936 | 126,004 | +11.0% |
| 1937 | 146,372 | +16.2% |
| 1938 | 128,863 | -12.0% |
| 1939 | 99,513 | -22.8% |
| 1940 | 84,292 | -15.3% |
| 1941 | 86,768 | +2.9% |
| 1942 | 81,568 | -6.0% |
| 1943 | 78,982 | -3.2% |
| 1944 | 46,625 | -41.0% |
| 1945 | 53,686 | +15.1% |
| 1946 | 78,037 | +45.4% |
| 1947 | 146,637 | +87.9% |
| 1948 | 152,911 | +4.3% |
| 1949 | 142,544 | -6.8% |
| 1950 | 133,587 | -6.3% |
| 1951 | 157,231 | +17.7% |
| 1952 | 153,800 | -2.2% |
| 1953 | 154,250 | +0.3% |
| 1954 | 161,752 | +4.9% |
| 1955 | 177,754 | +9.9% |
| 1956 | 189,301 | +6.5% |
| 1957 | 194,411 | +2.7% |
| 1958 | 191,022 | -1.7% |
| 1959 | 193,079 | +1.1% |
| 1960 | 281,139 | +45.6% |
| 1961 | 317,845 | +13.1% |
| 1962 | 365,846 | +15.1% |
| 1963 | 404,362 | +10.5% |
| 1964 | 450,490 | +11.4% |
| 1965 | 488,816 | +8.5% |
| 1966 | 471,127 | -3.6% |
| 1967 | 494,722 | +5.0% |
| 1968 | 540,142 | +9.2% |
| 1969 | 623,489 | +15.4% |
| 1970 | 628,124 | +0.7% |
| 1971 | 628,161 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 674,107 | +7.3% |
| 1973 | 711,008 | +5.5% |
| 1974 | 662,702 | -6.8% |
| 1975 | 642,218 | -3.1% |
| 1976 | 686,106 | +6.8% |
| 1977 | 698,718 | +1.8% |
| 1978 | 716,269 | +2.5% |
| 1979 | 697,394 | -2.6% |
| 1980 | 673,948 | -3.4% |
| 1981 | 687,963 | +2.1% |
| 1982 | 650,768 | -5.4% |
| 1983 | 627,802 | -3.5% |
| 1984 | 618,276 | -1.5% |
| 1985 | 601,702 | -2.7% |
| 1986 | 667,943 | +11.0% |
| 1987 | 727,325 | +8.9% |
| 1988 | 787,816 | +8.3% |
| 1989 | 811,186 | +3.0% |
| 1990 | 845,612 | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 856,845 | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 857,476 | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 870,980 | +1.6% |
| 1994 | 856,788 | -1.6% |
| 1995 | 829,539 | -3.2% |
| 1996 | 887,109 | +6.9% |
| 1997 | 938,339 | +5.8% |
| 1998 | 978,039 | +4.2% |
| 1999 | 871,206 | -10.9% |
| 2000 | 935,606 | +7.4% |
| 2001 | 904,515 | -3.3% |
| 2002 | 1.03 million | +14.3% |
| 2003 | 1.09 million | +5.6% |
| 2004 | 1.12 million | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 1.07 million | -3.9% |
| 2006 | 1.09 million | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 1.16 million | +6.1% |
| 2008 | 1.14 million | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 867,401 | -24.2% |
| 2010 | 903,500 | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 801,155 | -11.3% |
| 2012 | 714,651 | -10.8% |
| 2013 | 704,166 | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 623,520 | -11.5% |
| 2015 | 646,661 | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 702,078 | +8.6% |
| 2017 | 768,254 | +9.4% |
| 2018 | 892,361 | +16.2% |
| 2019 | 797,904 | -10.6% |
| 2020 | 618,457 | -22.5% |
| 2021 | 715,932 | +15.8% |
| 2022 | 750,371 | +4.8% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 750,371 is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409, 8.3× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 750,371 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006, 7.4× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Long run air pollution in Belgium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1802 | +281.3% | 3,232 | 12,323 |
| 1830 | +242.4% | 3,638 | 12,459 |
| 1947 | +87.9% | 78,037 | 146,637 |
| 1803 | -73.6% | 12,323 | 3,251 |
| 1960 | +45.6% | 193,079 | 281,139 |
| 1946 | +45.4% | 53,686 | 78,037 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 2,773 | 2,725 | 2,821 | 10 |
| 1760s | 2,879 | 2,832 | 2,925 | 10 |
| 1770s | 2,980 | 2,935 | 3,025 | 10 |
| 1780s | 3,078 | 3,034 | 3,121 | 10 |
| 1790s | 3,172 | 3,130 | 3,213 | 10 |
| 1800s | 4,174 | 3,222 | 12,323 | 10 |
| 1810s | 3,362 | 3,319 | 3,405 | 10 |
| 1820s | 3,527 | 3,414 | 3,638 | 10 |
| 1830s | 11,548 | 10,203 | 13,464 | 10 |
| 1840s | 15,673 | 14,094 | 17,742 | 10 |
| 1850s | 21,431 | 17,474 | 24,407 | 10 |
| 1860s | 29,119 | 24,830 | 33,904 | 10 |
| 1870s | 40,020 | 37,133 | 42,866 | 10 |
| 1880s | 48,641 | 45,485 | 53,314 | 10 |
| 1890s | 57,592 | 50,994 | 65,999 | 10 |
| 1900s | 70,812 | 64,077 | 76,216 | 10 |
| 1910s | 68,395 | 47,314 | 102,991 | 10 |
| 1920s | 109,489 | 68,869 | 148,664 | 10 |
| 1930s | 123,578 | 99,513 | 146,372 | 10 |
| 1940s | 95,205 | 46,625 | 152,911 | 10 |
| 1950s | 170,619 | 133,587 | 194,411 | 10 |
| 1960s | 443,798 | 281,139 | 623,489 | 10 |
| 1970s | 674,481 | 628,124 | 716,269 | 10 |
| 1980s | 685,473 | 601,702 | 811,186 | 10 |
| 1990s | 879,193 | 829,539 | 978,039 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.04 million | 867,401 | 1.16 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 755,425 | 623,520 | 903,500 | 10 |
| 2020s | 694,920 | 618,457 | 750,371 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More environment data for Belgium
- Grazing land use over the long-term, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2024)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per capita 0 hectares per person (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -5.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -6.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.574 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.19 °C (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per square kilometre 0 hectares per square kilometre (2024)
- Sawnwood, coniferous — Production, annual growth rate -7.41 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is long run air pollution in Belgium?
- Long run air pollution in Belgium was 750,371 in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest long run air pollution recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 1.16 million in 2007.
- What is the lowest long run air pollution recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,725 in 1750.
- How does Belgium rank for long run air pollution?
- Belgium ranks 33rd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is long run air pollution rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Long run air pollution. 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).