Emissions of air pollutants in Chile
Chile: Emissions of air pollutants was 440,221 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
440,221 tonnes
Change on year
down 2.7%
World rank
42nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
511,885 tonnes
in 2008
All-time low
158.03 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Chile, 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 Chile is 440,221 tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 2.7% on the previous year and down 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Chile peaked at 511,885 tonnes in 2008 and was at its lowest, 158.03 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Chile 42nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Chile, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 158.03 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 159.07 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1752 | 160.1 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1753 | 161.13 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1754 | 162.17 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1755 | 163.2 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1756 | 164.23 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1757 | 165.26 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1758 | 166.29 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1759 | 167.32 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1760 | 168.35 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1761 | 169.44 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1762 | 170.54 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1763 | 171.63 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1764 | 172.73 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1765 | 173.82 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1766 | 174.91 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1767 | 176.01 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1768 | 177.1 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1769 | 178.19 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1770 | 179.28 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1771 | 180.44 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1772 | 181.6 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1773 | 182.76 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1774 | 183.92 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1775 | 185.08 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1776 | 186.24 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1777 | 187.39 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1778 | 188.55 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1779 | 189.7 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1780 | 190.86 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1781 | 192.09 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1782 | 193.32 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1783 | 194.54 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1784 | 195.77 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1785 | 197 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1786 | 198.22 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1787 | 199.44 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1788 | 200.67 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1789 | 201.89 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1790 | 203.11 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1791 | 204.41 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1792 | 205.71 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1793 | 207.01 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1794 | 208.31 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1795 | 209.6 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1796 | 210.9 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1797 | 212.19 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1798 | 213.48 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1799 | 214.77 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1800 | 216.06 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1801 | 217.88 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1802 | 219.71 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1803 | 221.54 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1804 | 223.38 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1805 | 225.22 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1806 | 227.07 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1807 | 228.91 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1808 | 230.77 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1809 | 232.63 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1810 | 234.49 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1811 | 237.31 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1812 | 240.12 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1813 | 242.95 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1814 | 245.79 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1815 | 248.63 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1816 | 251.47 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1817 | 254.33 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1818 | 257.19 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1819 | 260.06 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1820 | 262.94 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1821 | 266.08 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1822 | 269.22 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1823 | 272.37 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1824 | 275.53 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1825 | 278.69 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1826 | 281.86 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1827 | 285.04 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1828 | 288.23 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1829 | 291.43 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1830 | 294.63 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1831 | 298.12 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1832 | 301.62 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1833 | 305.13 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1834 | 308.65 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1835 | 312.17 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1836 | 315.69 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1837 | 319.23 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1838 | 322.78 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1839 | 326.34 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1840 | 329.91 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1841 | 338.16 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1842 | 346.42 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1843 | 354.71 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1844 | 363.02 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1845 | 371.34 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1846 | 379.69 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1847 | 388.06 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1848 | 396.44 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1849 | 404.85 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1850 | 410.09 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1851 | 412.41 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1852 | 425.16 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1853 | 438.03 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1854 | 450.86 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1855 | 463.65 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1856 | 478.56 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1857 | 491.35 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1858 | 505.44 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1859 | 519.49 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1860 | 533.66 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1861 | 549.73 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1862 | 565.86 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1863 | 582.24 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1864 | 598.35 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1865 | 614.95 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1866 | 633.21 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1867 | 650.65 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1868 | 668.16 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1869 | 685.85 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1870 | 704.51 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1871 | 724.25 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1872 | 744.96 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1873 | 765.85 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1874 | 786.76 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1875 | 807.82 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1876 | 832.38 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1877 | 857.46 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1878 | 882.74 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1879 | 908.13 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1880 | 933.75 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1881 | 962.89 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1882 | 992.2 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1883 | 1,022 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1884 | 1,051 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1885 | 1,081 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1886 | 1,115 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1887 | 1,148 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1888 | 1,181 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1889 | 1,215 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1890 | 1,252 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1891 | 1,291 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1892 | 1,332 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1893 | 1,374 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1894 | 1,416 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1895 | 2,397 tonnes | +69.3% |
| 1896 | 2,470 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1897 | 2,707 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1898 | 2,944 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1899 | 2,807 tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1900 | 3,253 tonnes | +15.9% |
| 1901 | 4,634 tonnes | +42.4% |
| 1902 | 5,434 tonnes | +17.3% |
| 1903 | 5,894 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1904 | 5,647 tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1905 | 5,948 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1906 | 6,720 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1907 | 6,376 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1908 | 7,004 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1909 | 6,943 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1910 | 7,901 tonnes | +13.8% |
| 1911 | 8,508 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1912 | 9,221 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1913 | 9,103 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1914 | 8,251 tonnes | -9.4% |
| 1915 | 8,728 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1916 | 10,017 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1917 | 10,728 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1918 | 10,761 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1919 | 10,750 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1920 | 8,906 tonnes | -17.2% |
| 1921 | 10,090 tonnes | +13.3% |
| 1922 | 9,242 tonnes | -8.4% |
| 1923 | 9,962 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1924 | 11,923 tonnes | +19.7% |
| 1925 | 11,761 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1926 | 12,324 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1927 | 12,651 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1928 | 12,539 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1929 | 13,542 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1930 | 13,612 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1931 | 12,155 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1932 | 12,220 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1933 | 14,469 tonnes | +18.4% |
| 1934 | 15,878 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1935 | 16,462 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1936 | 16,678 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1937 | 17,326 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1938 | 17,974 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1939 | 17,302 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1940 | 17,942 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1941 | 18,653 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1942 | 19,199 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1943 | 19,844 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1944 | 20,024 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1945 | 19,223 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1946 | 19,058 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1947 | 19,838 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1948 | 21,047 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1949 | 20,968 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1950 | 46,358 tonnes | +121.1% |
| 1951 | 51,572 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1952 | 54,111 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1953 | 53,651 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1954 | 58,043 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1955 | 60,874 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1956 | 61,210 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1957 | 61,058 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1958 | 65,120 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1959 | 64,853 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1960 | 66,976 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1961 | 69,432 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1962 | 78,058 tonnes | +12.4% |
| 1963 | 83,475 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1964 | 87,356 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1965 | 89,006 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 95,826 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1967 | 95,840 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 103,808 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1969 | 106,661 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1970 | 112,584 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1971 | 142,974 tonnes | +27.0% |
| 1972 | 143,863 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1973 | 136,148 tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1974 | 129,987 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1975 | 115,158 tonnes | -11.4% |
| 1976 | 118,364 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1977 | 120,588 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1978 | 132,056 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1979 | 143,270 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1980 | 147,670 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1981 | 152,171 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1982 | 134,289 tonnes | -11.8% |
| 1983 | 138,798 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1984 | 143,042 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 141,718 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 148,913 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1987 | 153,664 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1988 | 177,562 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1989 | 205,957 tonnes | +16.0% |
| 1990 | 221,505 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1991 | 226,097 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 238,239 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1993 | 252,919 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1994 | 276,709 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1995 | 303,434 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1996 | 324,479 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1997 | 355,658 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1998 | 373,523 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1999 | 384,132 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 376,276 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 2001 | 354,583 tonnes | -5.8% |
| 2002 | 353,083 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 372,363 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 403,944 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 2005 | 415,847 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2006 | 445,530 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2007 | 510,749 tonnes | +14.6% |
| 2008 | 511,885 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2009 | 455,514 tonnes | -11.0% |
| 2010 | 408,549 tonnes | -10.3% |
| 2011 | 433,328 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 2012 | 466,985 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 2013 | 468,361 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 433,034 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 2015 | 436,690 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 459,239 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 484,545 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 2018 | 484,853 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 487,701 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 438,826 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 2021 | 452,420 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 440,221 tonnes | -2.7% |
Chile compared with similar countries
- Chile's 440,221 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 4.9× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Chile's 440,221 tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 54,155 tonnes, 8.1× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Chile 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 | +121.1% | 20,968 tonnes | 46,358 tonnes |
| 1895 | +69.3% | 1,416 tonnes | 2,397 tonnes |
| 1901 | +42.4% | 3,253 tonnes | 4,634 tonnes |
| 1971 | +27.0% | 112,584 tonnes | 142,974 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 162.68 tonnes | 158.03 tonnes | 167.32 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 173.27 tonnes | 168.35 tonnes | 178.19 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 184.5 tonnes | 179.28 tonnes | 189.7 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 196.38 tonnes | 190.86 tonnes | 201.89 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 208.95 tonnes | 203.11 tonnes | 214.77 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 224.32 tonnes | 216.06 tonnes | 232.63 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 247.23 tonnes | 234.49 tonnes | 260.06 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 277.14 tonnes | 262.94 tonnes | 291.43 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 310.44 tonnes | 294.63 tonnes | 326.34 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 367.26 tonnes | 329.91 tonnes | 404.85 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 459.51 tonnes | 410.09 tonnes | 519.49 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 608.26 tonnes | 533.66 tonnes | 685.85 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 801.49 tonnes | 704.51 tonnes | 908.13 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 1,070 tonnes | 933.75 tonnes | 1,215 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 1,999 tonnes | 1,252 tonnes | 2,944 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 5,785 tonnes | 3,253 tonnes | 7,004 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 9,397 tonnes | 7,901 tonnes | 10,761 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 11,294 tonnes | 8,906 tonnes | 13,542 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 15,408 tonnes | 12,155 tonnes | 17,974 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 19,579 tonnes | 17,942 tonnes | 21,047 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 57,685 tonnes | 46,358 tonnes | 65,120 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 87,644 tonnes | 66,976 tonnes | 106,661 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 129,499 tonnes | 112,584 tonnes | 143,863 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 154,378 tonnes | 134,289 tonnes | 205,957 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 295,670 tonnes | 221,505 tonnes | 384,132 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 419,977 tonnes | 353,083 tonnes | 511,885 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 456,328 tonnes | 408,549 tonnes | 487,701 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 443,822 tonnes | 438,826 tonnes | 452,420 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Chile
More environment data for Chile
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.67 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -0.3357 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.266 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.82 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 1.1 % 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 0.202 % 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 Chile?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Chile was 440,221 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 Chile?
- The highest recorded value was 511,885 tonnes in 2008.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Chile?
- The lowest recorded value was 158.03 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Chile rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Chile ranks 42nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Chile?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Chile 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.