Emissions of air pollutants in Colombia
Colombia: Emissions of air pollutants was 550,464 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
550,464 tonnes
Change on year
up 1.7%
World rank
40th
of 220 countries
All-time high
560,808 tonnes
in 2015
All-time low
428.76 tonnes
in 1790
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Colombia, 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 Colombia stood at 550,464 tonnes.
The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 5.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Colombia peaked at 560,808 tonnes in 2015 and was at its lowest, 428.76 tonnes, in 1790.
That places Colombia 40th 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 Colombia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 431.17 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 431.12 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1752 | 431.07 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1753 | 431.02 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1754 | 430.97 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1755 | 430.91 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1756 | 430.86 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1757 | 430.81 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1758 | 430.76 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1759 | 430.7 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1760 | 430.65 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1761 | 430.6 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1762 | 430.54 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1763 | 430.48 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1764 | 430.42 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1765 | 430.37 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1766 | 430.31 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1767 | 430.25 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1768 | 430.19 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1769 | 430.14 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1770 | 430.08 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1771 | 430.02 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1772 | 429.95 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1773 | 429.89 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1774 | 429.83 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1775 | 429.76 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1776 | 429.7 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1777 | 429.64 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1778 | 429.58 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1779 | 429.51 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1780 | 429.45 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1781 | 429.38 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1782 | 429.31 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1783 | 429.24 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1784 | 429.17 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1785 | 429.11 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1786 | 429.04 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1787 | 428.97 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1788 | 428.9 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1789 | 428.83 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1790 | 428.76 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1791 | 432.05 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1792 | 435.34 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1793 | 438.62 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1794 | 441.91 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1795 | 445.19 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1796 | 448.48 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1797 | 451.76 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1798 | 455.04 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1799 | 458.32 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1800 | 461.6 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1801 | 460.09 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1802 | 458.57 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1803 | 457.05 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1804 | 455.5 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1805 | 453.95 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1806 | 452.38 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1807 | 450.79 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1808 | 449.19 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1809 | 447.59 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1810 | 445.97 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1811 | 444.33 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1812 | 442.68 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1813 | 441.02 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1814 | 439.35 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1815 | 437.66 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1816 | 435.94 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1817 | 434.22 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1818 | 432.5 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1819 | 430.76 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1820 | 429.01 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1821 | 438.11 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1822 | 447.25 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1823 | 456.43 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1824 | 465.64 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1825 | 474.9 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1826 | 484.16 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1827 | 493.49 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1828 | 502.85 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1829 | 512.25 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1830 | 521.68 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1831 | 533.28 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1832 | 544.93 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1833 | 556.63 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1834 | 568.37 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1835 | 580.16 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1836 | 591.97 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1837 | 603.84 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1838 | 615.77 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1839 | 627.74 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1840 | 639.75 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1841 | 653.94 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1842 | 668.17 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1843 | 682.47 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1844 | 696.82 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1845 | 711.19 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1846 | 725.64 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1847 | 740.15 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1848 | 754.72 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1849 | 769.34 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1850 | 777.6 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1851 | 788.83 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1852 | 800.09 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1853 | 811.38 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1854 | 822.71 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 834.05 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 846.66 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1857 | 859.32 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1858 | 872 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1859 | 884.72 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1860 | 897.48 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1861 | 914.78 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1862 | 932.12 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1863 | 949.57 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1864 | 967.1 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1865 | 984.67 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1866 | 1,004 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1867 | 1,024 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1868 | 1,044 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1869 | 1,064 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1870 | 1,085 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1871 | 1,120 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1872 | 1,155 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1873 | 1,190 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1874 | 1,226 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1875 | 1,262 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1876 | 1,302 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1877 | 1,342 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1878 | 1,382 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1879 | 1,423 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1880 | 1,464 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1881 | 1,510 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1882 | 1,557 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1883 | 1,604 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1884 | 1,651 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1885 | 1,698 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1886 | 1,752 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1887 | 1,806 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1888 | 1,861 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1889 | 1,917 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1890 | 1,972 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1891 | 2,043 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1892 | 2,114 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1893 | 2,186 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1894 | 2,257 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1895 | 2,329 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1896 | 2,414 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1897 | 2,499 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1898 | 2,584 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1899 | 2,670 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1900 | 2,756 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1901 | 2,941 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1902 | 3,133 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1903 | 3,333 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1904 | 3,540 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1905 | 3,755 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1906 | 3,998 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1907 | 4,251 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1908 | 4,513 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1909 | 4,786 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1910 | 5,068 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1911 | 5,327 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1912 | 5,592 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1913 | 5,863 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1914 | 6,141 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1915 | 6,426 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1916 | 6,850 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1917 | 7,290 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1918 | 7,746 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1919 | 8,217 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1920 | 8,704 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1921 | 9,430 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1922 | 11,039 tonnes | +17.1% |
| 1923 | 11,934 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1924 | 12,497 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1925 | 15,598 tonnes | +24.8% |
| 1926 | 20,700 tonnes | +32.7% |
| 1927 | 21,527 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1928 | 25,855 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1929 | 26,051 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1930 | 20,229 tonnes | -22.3% |
| 1931 | 19,512 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1932 | 17,553 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 1933 | 20,967 tonnes | +19.5% |
| 1934 | 20,221 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1935 | 25,405 tonnes | +25.6% |
| 1936 | 29,284 tonnes | +15.3% |
| 1937 | 30,819 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1938 | 33,676 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1939 | 50,793 tonnes | +50.8% |
| 1940 | 41,023 tonnes | -19.2% |
| 1941 | 37,339 tonnes | -9.0% |
| 1942 | 40,465 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1943 | 38,229 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1944 | 45,183 tonnes | +18.2% |
| 1945 | 42,180 tonnes | -6.6% |
| 1946 | 48,099 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1947 | 51,655 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1948 | 50,179 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1949 | 53,842 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1950 | 78,986 tonnes | +46.7% |
| 1951 | 84,026 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1952 | 90,676 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1953 | 105,416 tonnes | +16.3% |
| 1954 | 88,706 tonnes | -15.9% |
| 1955 | 103,710 tonnes | +16.9% |
| 1956 | 105,923 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1957 | 114,894 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1958 | 111,057 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1959 | 118,701 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1960 | 119,344 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1961 | 130,506 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1962 | 134,392 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1963 | 143,631 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1964 | 146,173 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1965 | 146,989 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1966 | 154,119 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1967 | 158,315 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1968 | 172,199 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1969 | 175,837 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1970 | 189,630 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1971 | 221,310 tonnes | +16.7% |
| 1972 | 220,744 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1973 | 218,599 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1974 | 236,867 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1975 | 246,179 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1976 | 261,797 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1977 | 275,250 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1978 | 285,423 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1979 | 298,930 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1980 | 301,146 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1981 | 301,797 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 312,264 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1983 | 320,258 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 328,815 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 340,881 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1986 | 345,289 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1987 | 358,796 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1988 | 367,688 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1989 | 378,438 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 395,036 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1991 | 415,910 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1992 | 423,237 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1993 | 437,982 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 436,818 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 478,911 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1996 | 476,812 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1997 | 468,154 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 454,424 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1999 | 405,266 tonnes | -10.8% |
| 2000 | 410,544 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2001 | 425,457 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 394,032 tonnes | -7.4% |
| 2003 | 402,477 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2004 | 399,759 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 393,352 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2006 | 387,450 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 2007 | 393,528 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 380,786 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 400,893 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 426,100 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 2011 | 475,432 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 2012 | 522,243 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 2013 | 530,451 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 537,777 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 560,808 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2016 | 551,711 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2017 | 515,556 tonnes | -6.6% |
| 2018 | 518,777 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 536,678 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2020 | 486,745 tonnes | -9.3% |
| 2021 | 541,070 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 2022 | 550,464 tonnes | +1.7% |
Colombia compared with similar countries
- Colombia's 550,464 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 104,784 tonnes, 5.3× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Colombia's 550,464 tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 54,155 tonnes, 10.2× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Colombia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | +50.8% | 33,676 tonnes | 50,793 tonnes |
| 1950 | +46.7% | 53,842 tonnes | 78,986 tonnes |
| 1926 | +32.7% | 15,598 tonnes | 20,700 tonnes |
| 1935 | +25.6% | 20,221 tonnes | 25,405 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 430.94 tonnes | 430.7 tonnes | 431.17 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 430.39 tonnes | 430.14 tonnes | 430.65 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 429.8 tonnes | 429.51 tonnes | 430.08 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 429.14 tonnes | 428.83 tonnes | 429.45 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 443.55 tonnes | 428.76 tonnes | 458.32 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 454.67 tonnes | 447.59 tonnes | 461.6 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 438.44 tonnes | 430.76 tonnes | 445.97 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 470.41 tonnes | 429.01 tonnes | 512.25 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 574.44 tonnes | 521.68 tonnes | 627.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 704.22 tonnes | 639.75 tonnes | 769.34 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 829.74 tonnes | 777.6 tonnes | 884.72 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 978.34 tonnes | 897.48 tonnes | 1,064 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 1,249 tonnes | 1,085 tonnes | 1,423 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 1,682 tonnes | 1,464 tonnes | 1,917 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 2,307 tonnes | 1,972 tonnes | 2,670 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 3,701 tonnes | 2,756 tonnes | 4,786 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 6,452 tonnes | 5,068 tonnes | 8,217 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 16,333 tonnes | 8,704 tonnes | 26,051 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 26,846 tonnes | 17,553 tonnes | 50,793 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 44,820 tonnes | 37,339 tonnes | 53,842 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 100,209 tonnes | 78,986 tonnes | 118,701 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 148,150 tonnes | 119,344 tonnes | 175,837 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 245,473 tonnes | 189,630 tonnes | 298,930 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 335,537 tonnes | 301,146 tonnes | 378,438 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 439,255 tonnes | 395,036 tonnes | 478,911 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 398,828 tonnes | 380,786 tonnes | 425,457 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 517,553 tonnes | 426,100 tonnes | 560,808 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 526,093 tonnes | 486,745 tonnes | 550,464 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Colombia
More environment data for Colombia
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.4233 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.2774 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.267 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.59 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.9788 % 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 0.2077 % 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 Colombia?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Colombia was 550,464 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 Colombia?
- The highest recorded value was 560,808 tonnes in 2015.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Colombia?
- The lowest recorded value was 428.76 tonnes in 1790.
- How does Colombia rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Colombia ranks 40th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Colombia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Colombia 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.