Emissions of air pollutants in Iceland
Iceland: Emissions of air pollutants was 22,292 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
22,292 tonnes
Change on year
down 1.2%
World rank
159th
of 220 countries
All-time high
38,334 tonnes
in 2000
All-time low
3.61 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Iceland, 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 Iceland is 22,292 tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 1.2% on the previous year and down 17.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Iceland peaked at 38,334 tonnes in 2000 and was at its lowest, 3.61 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Iceland 159th out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Iceland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 3.61 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 3.63 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1752 | 3.65 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1753 | 3.66 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1754 | 3.68 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1755 | 3.69 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1756 | 3.71 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1757 | 3.73 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1758 | 3.74 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1759 | 3.76 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1760 | 3.77 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1761 | 3.79 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1762 | 3.81 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1763 | 3.82 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1764 | 3.84 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1765 | 3.86 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1766 | 3.87 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1767 | 3.89 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1768 | 3.91 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1769 | 3.92 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1770 | 3.94 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1771 | 3.96 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1772 | 3.97 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1773 | 3.99 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1774 | 4.01 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1775 | 4.02 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1776 | 4.04 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1777 | 4.06 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1778 | 4.08 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1779 | 4.09 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1780 | 4.11 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1781 | 4.13 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1782 | 4.15 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1783 | 4.16 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1784 | 4.18 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1785 | 4.2 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1786 | 4.22 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1787 | 4.24 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1788 | 4.25 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1789 | 4.27 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1790 | 4.29 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1791 | 4.31 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1792 | 4.33 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1793 | 4.35 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1794 | 4.36 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1795 | 4.38 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1796 | 4.4 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1797 | 4.42 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1798 | 4.44 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1799 | 4.46 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1800 | 4.47 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1801 | 4.5 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1802 | 4.53 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1803 | 4.56 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1804 | 4.59 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1805 | 4.62 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1806 | 4.65 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1807 | 4.68 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1808 | 4.71 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1809 | 4.74 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1810 | 4.77 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1811 | 4.83 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1812 | 4.89 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1813 | 4.95 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1814 | 5.01 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1815 | 5.07 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1816 | 5.13 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1817 | 5.19 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1818 | 5.25 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1819 | 5.31 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1820 | 5.37 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1821 | 5.44 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1822 | 5.51 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1823 | 5.57 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1824 | 5.64 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1825 | 5.71 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1826 | 5.78 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1827 | 5.84 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1828 | 5.91 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1829 | 5.98 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1830 | 6.05 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1831 | 6.12 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1832 | 6.2 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1833 | 6.27 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1834 | 6.35 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1835 | 6.42 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1836 | 6.5 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1837 | 6.57 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1838 | 6.65 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1839 | 6.73 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1840 | 6.8 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1841 | 6.89 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1842 | 6.97 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1843 | 7.06 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1844 | 7.14 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1845 | 7.23 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1846 | 7.31 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1847 | 7.4 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1848 | 7.48 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1849 | 7.57 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1850 | 7.65 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1851 | 7.77 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1852 | 7.88 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1853 | 7.99 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1854 | 8.11 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 8.22 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 8.3 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1857 | 8.38 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1858 | 8.46 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1859 | 8.57 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1860 | 8.67 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1861 | 8.72 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1862 | 8.77 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1863 | 8.81 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1864 | 8.86 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1865 | 8.9 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1866 | 8.94 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1867 | 8.97 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1868 | 9.01 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1869 | 9.06 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1870 | 9.11 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1871 | 9.16 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1872 | 9.2 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1873 | 9.24 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1874 | 9.28 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1875 | 9.31 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1876 | 9.35 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1877 | 9.38 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1878 | 9.42 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1879 | 9.45 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1880 | 9.48 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1881 | 9.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1882 | 9.53 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1883 | 9.55 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1884 | 9.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1885 | 9.59 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1886 | 9.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1887 | 9.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1888 | 9.68 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1889 | 9.74 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1890 | 9.85 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 10 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1892 | 10.15 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1893 | 10.31 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1894 | 10.46 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1895 | 10.61 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1896 | 10.92 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1897 | 11.23 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1898 | 11.54 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1899 | 11.85 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1900 | 12.16 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1901 | 14.06 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1902 | 15.94 tonnes | +13.3% |
| 1903 | 17.79 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1904 | 19.53 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1905 | 21.31 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1906 | 23.69 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1907 | 26.88 tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1908 | 29.62 tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1909 | 32.36 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1910 | 34.83 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1911 | 38.16 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1912 | 41.25 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1913 | 44.5 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1914 | 47.89 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1915 | 51.3 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1916 | 55.98 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1917 | 60.61 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1918 | 65.49 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1919 | 70.12 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1920 | 75.47 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1921 | 81.16 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1922 | 86.57 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1923 | 92.92 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1924 | 98.85 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1925 | 105.77 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1926 | 110.35 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1927 | 114.68 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1928 | 118.85 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1929 | 123.7 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1930 | 127.63 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 131.04 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1932 | 133.83 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1933 | 137.01 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1934 | 140.47 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1935 | 143.5 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1936 | 446.48 tonnes | +211.1% |
| 1937 | 426.49 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1938 | 205.72 tonnes | -51.8% |
| 1939 | 226.26 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1940 | 715.48 tonnes | +216.2% |
| 1941 | 593.7 tonnes | -17.0% |
| 1942 | 205.68 tonnes | -65.4% |
| 1943 | 451.73 tonnes | +119.6% |
| 1944 | 433.31 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1945 | 360.46 tonnes | -16.8% |
| 1946 | 312.5 tonnes | -13.3% |
| 1947 | 222.89 tonnes | -28.7% |
| 1948 | 233.87 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1949 | 245.41 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1950 | 11,727 tonnes | +4678.6% |
| 1951 | 10,438 tonnes | -11.0% |
| 1952 | 12,720 tonnes | +21.9% |
| 1953 | 15,164 tonnes | +19.2% |
| 1954 | 12,771 tonnes | -15.8% |
| 1955 | 14,683 tonnes | +15.0% |
| 1956 | 15,264 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1957 | 15,494 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1958 | 17,065 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1959 | 18,819 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1960 | 17,641 tonnes | -6.3% |
| 1961 | 15,538 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 1962 | 17,820 tonnes | +14.7% |
| 1963 | 17,196 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1964 | 16,848 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1965 | 17,677 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1966 | 18,632 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1967 | 18,150 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1968 | 19,863 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1969 | 16,630 tonnes | -16.3% |
| 1970 | 16,690 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1971 | 16,990 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1972 | 18,592 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1973 | 20,517 tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1974 | 20,582 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1975 | 21,283 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 21,051 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1977 | 22,188 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1978 | 23,762 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1979 | 23,226 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1980 | 23,112 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1981 | 26,522 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1982 | 24,790 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1983 | 25,002 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1984 | 25,207 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1985 | 24,076 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1986 | 26,143 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1987 | 28,336 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1988 | 29,284 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1989 | 31,364 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1990 | 32,551 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1991 | 30,095 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1992 | 32,657 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1993 | 34,759 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 34,772 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 36,371 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1996 | 36,885 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 37,504 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1998 | 37,352 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 36,538 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2000 | 38,334 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 2001 | 32,912 tonnes | -14.1% |
| 2002 | 35,890 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 2003 | 35,304 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 36,581 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 33,734 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 2006 | 32,050 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 2007 | 35,838 tonnes | +11.8% |
| 2008 | 33,512 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 2009 | 31,171 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 2010 | 29,711 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 27,656 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 2012 | 27,153 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2013 | 24,333 tonnes | -10.4% |
| 2014 | 24,228 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 27,030 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 2016 | 26,863 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 28,616 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 2018 | 29,936 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 26,497 tonnes | -11.5% |
| 2020 | 19,466 tonnes | -26.5% |
| 2021 | 22,565 tonnes | +15.9% |
| 2022 | 22,292 tonnes | -1.2% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 22,292 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 25% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 22,292 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 22% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Iceland 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 | +4678.6% | 245.41 tonnes | 11,727 tonnes |
| 1940 | +216.2% | 226.26 tonnes | 715.48 tonnes |
| 1936 | +211.1% | 143.5 tonnes | 446.48 tonnes |
| 1943 | +119.6% | 205.68 tonnes | 451.73 tonnes |
| 1942 | -65.4% | 593.7 tonnes | 205.68 tonnes |
| 1938 | -51.8% | 426.49 tonnes | 205.72 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 3.69 tonnes | 3.61 tonnes | 3.76 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 3.85 tonnes | 3.77 tonnes | 3.92 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 4.02 tonnes | 3.94 tonnes | 4.09 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 4.19 tonnes | 4.11 tonnes | 4.27 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 4.37 tonnes | 4.29 tonnes | 4.46 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 4.61 tonnes | 4.47 tonnes | 4.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 5.04 tonnes | 4.77 tonnes | 5.31 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 5.68 tonnes | 5.37 tonnes | 5.98 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 6.39 tonnes | 6.05 tonnes | 6.73 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 7.18 tonnes | 6.8 tonnes | 7.57 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 8.13 tonnes | 7.65 tonnes | 8.57 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 8.87 tonnes | 8.67 tonnes | 9.06 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 9.29 tonnes | 9.11 tonnes | 9.45 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 9.59 tonnes | 9.48 tonnes | 9.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 10.69 tonnes | 9.85 tonnes | 11.85 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 21.33 tonnes | 12.16 tonnes | 32.36 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 51.01 tonnes | 34.83 tonnes | 70.12 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 100.83 tonnes | 75.47 tonnes | 123.7 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 211.84 tonnes | 127.63 tonnes | 446.48 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 377.5 tonnes | 205.68 tonnes | 715.48 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 14,415 tonnes | 10,438 tonnes | 18,819 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 17,600 tonnes | 15,538 tonnes | 19,863 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 20,488 tonnes | 16,690 tonnes | 23,762 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 26,384 tonnes | 23,112 tonnes | 31,364 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 34,948 tonnes | 30,095 tonnes | 37,504 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 34,533 tonnes | 31,171 tonnes | 38,334 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 27,202 tonnes | 24,228 tonnes | 29,936 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,441 tonnes | 19,466 tonnes | 22,565 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More environment data for Iceland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 3.89 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.587 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.47 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.8549 % 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 -1.93 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Iceland?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Iceland was 22,292 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 Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 38,334 tonnes in 2000.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.61 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Iceland rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Iceland ranks 159th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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.