Emissions of air pollutants in Brazil
Brazil: Emissions of air pollutants was 2.83 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
2.83 million tonnes
Change on year
down 5.4%
World rank
7th
of 220 countries
All-time high
3.49 million tonnes
in 2014
All-time low
924.53 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Brazil, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for emissions of air pollutants in Brazil is 2.83 million tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 5.4% on the previous year and down 14.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Brazil peaked at 3.49 million tonnes in 2014 and was at its lowest, 924.53 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Brazil 7th 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 Brazil, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 924.53 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 932.87 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1752 | 941.21 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1753 | 949.54 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1754 | 957.88 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1755 | 966.21 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1756 | 974.54 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1757 | 982.87 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1758 | 991.2 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1759 | 999.52 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1760 | 1,008 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1761 | 1,017 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1762 | 1,026 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1763 | 1,036 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1764 | 1,045 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1765 | 1,054 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1766 | 1,063 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1767 | 1,073 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1768 | 1,082 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1769 | 1,091 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1770 | 1,101 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1771 | 1,111 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1772 | 1,121 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1773 | 1,132 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1774 | 1,142 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1775 | 1,152 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1776 | 1,163 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1777 | 1,173 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1778 | 1,183 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1779 | 1,194 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1780 | 1,204 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1781 | 1,216 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1782 | 1,228 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1783 | 1,239 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1784 | 1,251 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1785 | 1,263 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1786 | 1,274 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1787 | 1,286 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1788 | 1,298 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1789 | 1,309 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1790 | 1,321 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1791 | 1,334 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1792 | 1,347 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1793 | 1,361 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1794 | 1,374 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1795 | 1,387 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1796 | 1,400 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1797 | 1,414 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1798 | 1,427 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1799 | 1,440 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1800 | 1,453 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1801 | 1,490 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1802 | 1,528 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1803 | 1,565 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1804 | 1,603 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1805 | 1,641 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1806 | 1,678 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1807 | 1,716 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1808 | 1,754 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1809 | 1,793 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1810 | 1,831 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1811 | 1,876 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1812 | 1,921 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1813 | 1,966 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1814 | 2,012 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1815 | 2,057 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1816 | 2,103 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1817 | 2,149 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1818 | 2,195 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1819 | 2,241 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1820 | 2,287 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1821 | 2,353 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1822 | 2,418 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1823 | 2,484 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1824 | 2,551 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1825 | 2,617 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1826 | 2,684 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1827 | 2,751 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1828 | 2,818 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1829 | 2,885 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1830 | 2,952 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1831 | 3,020 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1832 | 3,089 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1833 | 3,157 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1834 | 3,226 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1835 | 3,295 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1836 | 3,364 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1837 | 3,433 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1838 | 3,502 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1839 | 3,572 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1840 | 3,642 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1841 | 3,712 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1842 | 3,783 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1843 | 3,854 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1844 | 3,925 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1845 | 3,996 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1846 | 4,068 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1847 | 4,140 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1848 | 4,212 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1849 | 4,284 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1850 | 4,369 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1851 | 4,447 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1852 | 4,525 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1853 | 4,604 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1854 | 4,683 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1855 | 4,763 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1856 | 4,844 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1857 | 4,925 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1858 | 5,006 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1859 | 5,088 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1860 | 5,170 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1861 | 5,269 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1862 | 5,369 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1863 | 5,469 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1864 | 5,570 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1865 | 5,672 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1866 | 5,777 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1867 | 5,882 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1868 | 5,987 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1869 | 6,092 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1870 | 6,199 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1871 | 6,323 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1872 | 6,447 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1873 | 6,573 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1874 | 6,700 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1875 | 6,827 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1876 | 6,961 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1877 | 7,096 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1878 | 7,231 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1879 | 7,368 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1880 | 7,505 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1881 | 7,711 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1882 | 7,918 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1883 | 8,127 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1884 | 8,337 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1885 | 8,550 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1886 | 8,771 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1887 | 8,994 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1888 | 9,220 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1889 | 9,448 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1890 | 9,678 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1891 | 9,924 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1892 | 10,172 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1893 | 10,422 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1894 | 10,674 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1895 | 10,928 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1896 | 11,105 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1897 | 11,284 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1898 | 11,466 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1899 | 11,650 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1900 | 11,834 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1901 | 17,354 tonnes | +46.6% |
| 1902 | 18,897 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1903 | 19,355 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1904 | 20,404 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1905 | 21,469 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1906 | 23,119 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1907 | 24,410 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1908 | 25,479 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1909 | 26,268 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1910 | 28,417 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1911 | 30,335 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1912 | 33,621 tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1913 | 35,665 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1914 | 32,222 tonnes | -9.7% |
| 1915 | 31,046 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1916 | 31,841 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1917 | 32,414 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1918 | 33,504 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1919 | 36,710 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1920 | 39,534 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1921 | 39,238 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1922 | 42,613 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1923 | 45,854 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1924 | 48,356 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1925 | 50,971 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1926 | 53,058 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1927 | 56,022 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1928 | 57,221 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1929 | 59,618 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1930 | 59,292 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1931 | 57,620 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1932 | 58,856 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1933 | 61,124 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1934 | 61,997 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1935 | 65,043 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1936 | 65,789 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1937 | 70,595 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1938 | 73,252 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1939 | 75,280 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1940 | 78,842 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1941 | 82,172 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1942 | 84,427 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1943 | 89,929 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1944 | 92,209 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1945 | 97,534 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1946 | 104,468 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1947 | 111,544 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1948 | 114,592 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1949 | 118,947 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1950 | 222,212 tonnes | +86.8% |
| 1951 | 239,500 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1952 | 264,096 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1953 | 265,937 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1954 | 292,115 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1955 | 316,800 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1956 | 337,663 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1957 | 335,682 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1958 | 361,194 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1959 | 361,898 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1960 | 405,591 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1961 | 422,416 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1962 | 445,941 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1963 | 461,762 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1964 | 463,706 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1965 | 461,141 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1966 | 505,025 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1967 | 524,811 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1968 | 592,858 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1969 | 630,178 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1970 | 696,170 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1971 | 775,215 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1972 | 847,513 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1973 | 968,758 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1974 | 1.09 million tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1975 | 1.14 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1976 | 1.24 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1977 | 1.26 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1978 | 1.36 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1979 | 1.46 million tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1980 | 1.44 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1981 | 1.41 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1982 | 1.45 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 1.47 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1984 | 1.53 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1985 | 1.66 million tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1986 | 1.76 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1987 | 1.79 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1988 | 1.80 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 1.81 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 1.76 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1991 | 1.81 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 1.86 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 1.92 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 2.09 million tonnes | +8.7% |
| 1995 | 2.14 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1996 | 2.35 million tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1997 | 2.43 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 2.48 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1999 | 2.58 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 2.48 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 2001 | 2.60 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 2002 | 2.69 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2003 | 2.67 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 2.79 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 2.78 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 2.82 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 2.98 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 2008 | 3.18 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 2009 | 3.00 million tonnes | -5.7% |
| 2010 | 3.24 million tonnes | +7.8% |
| 2011 | 3.28 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 3.31 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 3.36 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2014 | 3.49 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 3.38 million tonnes | -3.3% |
| 2016 | 3.14 million tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2017 | 3.11 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2018 | 2.95 million tonnes | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 2.94 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 2.92 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2021 | 2.99 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 2.83 million tonnes | -5.4% |
Brazil compared with similar countries
- Brazil's 2.83 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 104,784 tonnes, 27.0× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Brazil's 2.83 million tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 54,155 tonnes, 52.2× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Brazil 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | +86.8% | 118,947 tonnes | 222,212 tonnes |
| 1901 | +46.6% | 11,834 tonnes | 17,354 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 962.03 tonnes | 924.53 tonnes | 999.52 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 1,050 tonnes | 1,008 tonnes | 1,091 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 1,147 tonnes | 1,101 tonnes | 1,194 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 1,257 tonnes | 1,204 tonnes | 1,309 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 1,380 tonnes | 1,321 tonnes | 1,440 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 1,622 tonnes | 1,453 tonnes | 1,793 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 2,035 tonnes | 1,831 tonnes | 2,241 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 2,585 tonnes | 2,287 tonnes | 2,885 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 3,261 tonnes | 2,952 tonnes | 3,572 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 3,962 tonnes | 3,642 tonnes | 4,284 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 4,725 tonnes | 4,369 tonnes | 5,088 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 5,626 tonnes | 5,170 tonnes | 6,092 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 6,772 tonnes | 6,199 tonnes | 7,368 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 8,458 tonnes | 7,505 tonnes | 9,448 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 10,730 tonnes | 9,678 tonnes | 11,650 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 20,859 tonnes | 11,834 tonnes | 26,268 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 32,577 tonnes | 28,417 tonnes | 36,710 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 49,248 tonnes | 39,238 tonnes | 59,618 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 64,885 tonnes | 57,620 tonnes | 75,280 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 97,466 tonnes | 78,842 tonnes | 118,947 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 299,710 tonnes | 222,212 tonnes | 361,898 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 491,343 tonnes | 405,591 tonnes | 630,178 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.08 million tonnes | 696,170 tonnes | 1.46 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.61 million tonnes | 1.41 million tonnes | 1.81 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.14 million tonnes | 1.76 million tonnes | 2.58 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.80 million tonnes | 2.48 million tonnes | 3.18 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.22 million tonnes | 2.94 million tonnes | 3.49 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.91 million tonnes | 2.83 million tonnes | 2.99 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Brazil
More environment data for Brazil
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -6.93 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -8.24 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.221 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.36 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.155 % 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 -2.73 % 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 Brazil?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Brazil was 2.83 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 Brazil?
- The highest recorded value was 3.49 million tonnes in 2014.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Brazil?
- The lowest recorded value was 924.53 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Brazil rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Brazil ranks 7th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Brazil?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Brazil 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.