Emissions of air pollutants in Bhutan
Bhutan: Emissions of air pollutants was 20,019 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
20,019 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
162nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
20,019 tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
39.13 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Bhutan, 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 Bhutan stood at 20,019 tonnes. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 20.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Bhutan peaked at 20,019 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 39.13 tonnes, in 1750.
Bhutan ranks 162nd of 220 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Bhutan, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 39.13 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 39.2 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 39.28 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 39.35 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 39.42 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 39.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 39.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 39.64 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 39.71 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 39.78 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 39.86 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 39.93 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 40 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 40.08 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 40.15 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 40.22 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 40.3 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 40.37 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 40.45 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 40.52 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 40.59 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 40.67 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 40.74 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 40.82 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 40.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 40.97 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 41.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 41.12 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 41.19 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 41.27 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 41.34 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 41.42 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 41.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 41.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 41.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 41.73 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 41.8 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 41.88 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 41.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 42.03 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 42.11 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 42.19 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 42.26 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 42.34 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 42.42 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 42.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 42.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 42.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 42.73 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 42.81 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 42.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 43.03 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 43.18 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1803 | 43.32 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1804 | 43.47 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1805 | 43.62 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1806 | 43.77 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1807 | 43.91 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1808 | 44.06 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1809 | 44.21 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1810 | 44.36 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1811 | 44.81 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1812 | 45.27 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1813 | 45.72 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1814 | 46.18 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1815 | 46.64 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1816 | 47.1 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1817 | 47.56 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1818 | 48.02 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1819 | 48.48 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1820 | 48.95 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1821 | 49.45 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1822 | 49.95 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1823 | 50.45 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1824 | 50.95 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1825 | 51.46 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1826 | 51.96 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1827 | 52.47 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1828 | 52.98 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1829 | 53.49 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1830 | 54 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1831 | 54.55 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1832 | 55.1 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1833 | 55.66 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1834 | 56.21 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1835 | 56.77 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1836 | 57.32 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1837 | 57.88 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1838 | 58.44 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1839 | 59 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1840 | 59.57 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1841 | 60.17 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1842 | 60.78 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1843 | 61.39 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1844 | 62 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1845 | 62.61 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1846 | 63.22 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1847 | 63.84 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1848 | 64.45 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1849 | 65.07 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1850 | 65.69 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1851 | 66.35 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1852 | 67.02 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1853 | 67.69 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1854 | 68.36 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1855 | 69.03 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1856 | 69.71 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1857 | 70.39 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1858 | 71.06 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1859 | 71.74 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1860 | 72.42 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1861 | 73.48 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1862 | 74.55 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1863 | 75.62 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1864 | 76.69 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1865 | 77.77 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1866 | 78.86 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1867 | 79.95 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1868 | 81.05 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1869 | 82.16 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1870 | 83.27 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1871 | 84.47 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1872 | 85.69 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1873 | 86.91 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1874 | 88.13 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1875 | 89.36 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1876 | 90.6 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1877 | 91.85 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1878 | 93.1 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1879 | 94.36 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1880 | 95.62 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1881 | 97 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1882 | 98.38 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1883 | 99.77 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1884 | 101.17 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1885 | 102.57 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1886 | 103.98 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1887 | 105.4 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1888 | 111.86 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1889 | 118.43 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1890 | 125.11 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1891 | 132.04 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1892 | 139.1 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1893 | 146.41 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1894 | 154.17 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1895 | 162.09 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1896 | 170.18 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1897 | 178.44 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1898 | 186.86 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1899 | 195.46 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1900 | 204.24 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1901 | 280.19 tonnes | +37.2% |
| 1902 | 358.57 tonnes | +28.0% |
| 1903 | 439.46 tonnes | +22.6% |
| 1904 | 522.93 tonnes | +19.0% |
| 1905 | 609.05 tonnes | +16.5% |
| 1906 | 704.79 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1907 | 802.98 tonnes | +13.9% |
| 1908 | 903.68 tonnes | +12.5% |
| 1909 | 1,007 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1910 | 1,113 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1911 | 1,222 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1912 | 1,335 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1913 | 1,449 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1914 | 1,567 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1915 | 1,687 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1916 | 1,810 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1917 | 1,936 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1918 | 2,066 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1919 | 2,198 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1920 | 2,333 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1921 | 2,400 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1922 | 2,474 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1923 | 2,567 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1924 | 2,637 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1925 | 2,727 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1926 | 2,796 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1927 | 2,863 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1928 | 2,931 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1929 | 3,015 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1930 | 3,065 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1931 | 3,120 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1932 | 3,160 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1933 | 3,217 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1934 | 3,274 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1935 | 3,333 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1936 | 3,425 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1937 | 3,517 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1938 | 3,609 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1939 | 3,703 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1940 | 3,798 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1941 | 3,966 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1942 | 4,127 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1943 | 4,310 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1944 | 4,502 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1945 | 4,689 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1946 | 4,901 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1947 | 5,124 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1948 | 5,343 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1949 | 5,590 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1950 | 5,849 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1951 | 5,882 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1952 | 5,918 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1953 | 5,958 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1954 | 6,018 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1955 | 6,065 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1956 | 6,101 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1957 | 6,158 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1958 | 6,201 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1959 | 6,247 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1960 | 6,293 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1961 | 6,912 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1962 | 6,841 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1963 | 6,765 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1964 | 6,681 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1965 | 6,568 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1966 | 6,444 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1967 | 6,326 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1968 | 6,163 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1969 | 6,114 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1970 | 5,533 tonnes | -9.5% |
| 1971 | 5,673 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1972 | 5,845 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1973 | 6,042 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1974 | 6,248 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1975 | 6,473 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1976 | 6,734 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1977 | 7,013 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1978 | 7,324 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1979 | 7,668 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1980 | 7,952 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1981 | 8,212 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1982 | 8,420 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1983 | 8,614 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1984 | 8,943 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1985 | 9,570 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1986 | 9,894 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 10,232 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 10,508 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1989 | 10,617 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1990 | 15,460 tonnes | +45.6% |
| 1991 | 15,085 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1992 | 14,596 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1993 | 14,044 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1994 | 13,633 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1995 | 12,967 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1996 | 13,164 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1997 | 13,200 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 13,428 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 13,831 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2000 | 12,350 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 2001 | 12,760 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 13,375 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 2003 | 15,213 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 2004 | 15,555 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2005 | 16,112 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 15,909 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2007 | 13,922 tonnes | -12.5% |
| 2008 | 14,213 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 14,557 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 15,750 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 2011 | 16,371 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 16,666 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 18,127 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 2014 | 18,398 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 19,010 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2016 | 19,153 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 19,133 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 19,689 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 19,789 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 19,516 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 19,918 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 20,019 tonnes | +0.5% |
Bhutan compared with similar countries
- Bhutan's 20,019 tonnes is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 27% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Bhutan's 20,019 tonnes is below the median for South Asia, which is 270,525 tonnes, 7% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Bhutan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | +45.6% | 10,617 tonnes | 15,460 tonnes |
| 1901 | +37.2% | 204.24 tonnes | 280.19 tonnes |
| 1902 | +28.0% | 280.19 tonnes | 358.57 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 39.46 tonnes | 39.13 tonnes | 39.78 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 40.19 tonnes | 39.86 tonnes | 40.52 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 40.93 tonnes | 40.59 tonnes | 41.27 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 41.69 tonnes | 41.34 tonnes | 42.03 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 42.46 tonnes | 42.11 tonnes | 42.81 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 43.55 tonnes | 42.89 tonnes | 44.21 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 46.41 tonnes | 44.36 tonnes | 48.48 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 51.21 tonnes | 48.95 tonnes | 53.49 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 56.49 tonnes | 54 tonnes | 59 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 62.31 tonnes | 59.57 tonnes | 65.07 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 68.71 tonnes | 65.69 tonnes | 71.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 77.26 tonnes | 72.42 tonnes | 82.16 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 88.77 tonnes | 83.27 tonnes | 94.36 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 103.42 tonnes | 95.62 tonnes | 118.43 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 158.99 tonnes | 125.11 tonnes | 195.46 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 583.29 tonnes | 204.24 tonnes | 1,007 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 1,638 tonnes | 1,113 tonnes | 2,198 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 2,674 tonnes | 2,333 tonnes | 3,015 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 3,342 tonnes | 3,065 tonnes | 3,703 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 4,635 tonnes | 3,798 tonnes | 5,590 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 6,040 tonnes | 5,849 tonnes | 6,247 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 6,511 tonnes | 6,114 tonnes | 6,912 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 6,455 tonnes | 5,533 tonnes | 7,668 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 9,296 tonnes | 7,952 tonnes | 10,617 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 13,941 tonnes | 12,967 tonnes | 15,460 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 14,397 tonnes | 12,350 tonnes | 16,112 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,209 tonnes | 15,750 tonnes | 19,789 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 19,818 tonnes | 19,516 tonnes | 20,019 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Bhutan
More environment data for Bhutan
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.2782 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.5977 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.257 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.08 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.487 % 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 -5.53 % 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 Bhutan?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Bhutan was 20,019 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 Bhutan?
- The highest recorded value was 20,019 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Bhutan?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.13 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Bhutan rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Bhutan ranks 162nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Bhutan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bhutan 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.