Long run air pollution in India
India: Long run air pollution was 9.56 million in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
9.56 million
Change on year
up 3.5%
World rank
2nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
10.05 million
in 2018
All-time low
30,488
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Long run air pollution in India, 1750–2022
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
India recorded 9.56 million for long run air pollution in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.5% on the previous year and up 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, long run air pollution in India peaked at 10.05 million in 2018 and was at its lowest, 30,488, in 1750.
India ranks 2nd of 220 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Long run air pollution in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 30,488 | — |
| 1751 | 30,548 | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 30,608 | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 30,668 | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 30,728 | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 30,787 | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 30,847 | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 30,907 | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 30,966 | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 31,026 | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 31,086 | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 31,147 | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 31,207 | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 31,268 | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 31,329 | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 31,390 | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 31,450 | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 31,511 | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 31,571 | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 31,632 | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 31,693 | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 31,754 | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 31,816 | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 31,878 | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 31,939 | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 32,001 | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 32,062 | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 32,124 | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 32,186 | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 32,247 | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 32,309 | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 32,371 | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 32,434 | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 32,496 | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 32,559 | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 32,621 | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 32,684 | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 32,746 | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 32,808 | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 32,871 | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 32,933 | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 32,997 | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 33,060 | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 33,124 | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 33,187 | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 33,250 | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 33,314 | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 33,377 | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 33,440 | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 33,504 | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 33,567 | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 33,676 | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 33,785 | +0.3% |
| 1803 | 33,895 | +0.3% |
| 1804 | 34,004 | +0.3% |
| 1805 | 34,114 | +0.3% |
| 1806 | 34,224 | +0.3% |
| 1807 | 34,334 | +0.3% |
| 1808 | 34,444 | +0.3% |
| 1809 | 34,555 | +0.3% |
| 1810 | 34,665 | +0.3% |
| 1811 | 34,777 | +0.3% |
| 1812 | 34,889 | +0.3% |
| 1813 | 35,001 | +0.3% |
| 1814 | 35,114 | +0.3% |
| 1815 | 35,226 | +0.3% |
| 1816 | 35,338 | +0.3% |
| 1817 | 35,451 | +0.3% |
| 1818 | 35,564 | +0.3% |
| 1819 | 35,677 | +0.3% |
| 1820 | 35,790 | +0.3% |
| 1821 | 35,932 | +0.4% |
| 1822 | 36,074 | +0.4% |
| 1823 | 36,216 | +0.4% |
| 1824 | 36,358 | +0.4% |
| 1825 | 36,501 | +0.4% |
| 1826 | 36,643 | +0.4% |
| 1827 | 36,786 | +0.4% |
| 1828 | 36,930 | +0.4% |
| 1829 | 37,073 | +0.4% |
| 1830 | 37,217 | +0.4% |
| 1831 | 37,436 | +0.6% |
| 1832 | 37,656 | +0.6% |
| 1833 | 37,876 | +0.6% |
| 1834 | 38,097 | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 38,318 | +0.6% |
| 1836 | 38,539 | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 38,761 | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 38,983 | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 39,206 | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 39,429 | +0.6% |
| 1841 | 39,660 | +0.6% |
| 1842 | 39,892 | +0.6% |
| 1843 | 40,124 | +0.6% |
| 1844 | 40,357 | +0.6% |
| 1845 | 40,589 | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 40,822 | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 41,056 | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 41,290 | +0.6% |
| 1849 | 41,525 | +0.6% |
| 1850 | 41,859 | +0.8% |
| 1851 | 42,092 | +0.6% |
| 1852 | 42,326 | +0.6% |
| 1853 | 42,560 | +0.6% |
| 1854 | 42,796 | +0.6% |
| 1855 | 43,031 | +0.5% |
| 1856 | 43,269 | +0.6% |
| 1857 | 43,508 | +0.6% |
| 1858 | 44,832 | +3.0% |
| 1859 | 45,739 | +2.0% |
| 1860 | 45,998 | +0.6% |
| 1861 | 45,920 | -0.2% |
| 1862 | 46,389 | +1.0% |
| 1863 | 46,879 | +1.1% |
| 1864 | 47,114 | +0.5% |
| 1865 | 47,415 | +0.6% |
| 1866 | 47,946 | +1.1% |
| 1867 | 46,518 | -3.0% |
| 1868 | 46,850 | +0.7% |
| 1869 | 47,184 | +0.7% |
| 1870 | 48,124 | +2.0% |
| 1871 | 48,404 | +0.6% |
| 1872 | 48,684 | +0.6% |
| 1873 | 48,965 | +0.6% |
| 1874 | 49,247 | +0.6% |
| 1875 | 49,528 | +0.6% |
| 1876 | 49,813 | +0.6% |
| 1877 | 50,099 | +0.6% |
| 1878 | 55,248 | +10.3% |
| 1879 | 55,932 | +1.2% |
| 1880 | 57,090 | +2.1% |
| 1881 | 57,500 | +0.7% |
| 1882 | 60,229 | +4.7% |
| 1883 | 60,901 | +1.1% |
| 1884 | 63,598 | +4.4% |
| 1885 | 62,735 | -1.4% |
| 1886 | 65,590 | +4.6% |
| 1887 | 67,037 | +2.2% |
| 1888 | 69,505 | +3.7% |
| 1889 | 73,615 | +5.9% |
| 1890 | 75,687 | +2.8% |
| 1891 | 77,270 | +2.1% |
| 1892 | 79,631 | +3.1% |
| 1893 | 82,561 | +3.7% |
| 1894 | 79,858 | -3.3% |
| 1895 | 85,136 | +6.6% |
| 1896 | 87,373 | +2.6% |
| 1897 | 91,593 | +4.8% |
| 1898 | 93,883 | +2.5% |
| 1899 | 97,450 | +3.8% |
| 1900 | 103,716 | +6.4% |
| 1901 | 112,904 | +8.9% |
| 1902 | 119,448 | +5.8% |
| 1903 | 125,658 | +5.2% |
| 1904 | 137,478 | +9.4% |
| 1905 | 142,208 | +3.4% |
| 1906 | 154,318 | +8.5% |
| 1907 | 161,635 | +4.7% |
| 1908 | 175,897 | +8.8% |
| 1909 | 184,079 | +4.7% |
| 1910 | 175,892 | -4.4% |
| 1911 | 183,028 | +4.1% |
| 1912 | 198,187 | +8.3% |
| 1913 | 211,749 | +6.8% |
| 1914 | 212,418 | +0.3% |
| 1915 | 221,986 | +4.5% |
| 1916 | 226,905 | +2.2% |
| 1917 | 231,649 | +2.1% |
| 1918 | 245,349 | +5.9% |
| 1919 | 261,032 | +6.4% |
| 1920 | 242,566 | -7.1% |
| 1921 | 253,298 | +4.4% |
| 1922 | 251,117 | -0.9% |
| 1923 | 253,605 | +1.0% |
| 1924 | 260,633 | +2.8% |
| 1925 | 259,961 | -0.3% |
| 1926 | 261,199 | +0.5% |
| 1927 | 271,003 | +3.8% |
| 1928 | 234,317 | -13.5% |
| 1929 | 242,116 | +3.3% |
| 1930 | 246,339 | +1.7% |
| 1931 | 241,029 | -2.2% |
| 1932 | 236,345 | -1.9% |
| 1933 | 235,961 | -0.2% |
| 1934 | 248,741 | +5.4% |
| 1935 | 255,010 | +2.5% |
| 1936 | 255,159 | +0.1% |
| 1937 | 269,882 | +5.8% |
| 1938 | 288,661 | +7.0% |
| 1939 | 289,110 | +0.2% |
| 1940 | 301,286 | +4.2% |
| 1941 | 309,206 | +2.6% |
| 1942 | 315,270 | +2.0% |
| 1943 | 305,435 | -3.1% |
| 1944 | 315,170 | +3.2% |
| 1945 | 332,962 | +5.6% |
| 1946 | 335,624 | +0.8% |
| 1947 | 317,433 | -5.4% |
| 1948 | 321,952 | +1.4% |
| 1949 | 334,177 | +3.8% |
| 1950 | 417,026 | +24.8% |
| 1951 | 439,274 | +5.3% |
| 1952 | 452,701 | +3.1% |
| 1953 | 464,805 | +2.7% |
| 1954 | 500,340 | +7.6% |
| 1955 | 556,203 | +11.2% |
| 1956 | 577,212 | +3.8% |
| 1957 | 623,751 | +8.1% |
| 1958 | 645,920 | +3.6% |
| 1959 | 675,861 | +4.6% |
| 1960 | 712,090 | +5.4% |
| 1961 | 751,467 | +5.5% |
| 1962 | 816,023 | +8.6% |
| 1963 | 863,431 | +5.8% |
| 1964 | 866,152 | +0.3% |
| 1965 | 931,687 | +7.6% |
| 1966 | 994,980 | +6.8% |
| 1967 | 992,520 | -0.2% |
| 1968 | 1.11 million | +11.5% |
| 1969 | 1.13 million | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 1.20 million | +6.1% |
| 1971 | 1.29 million | +7.2% |
| 1972 | 1.34 million | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 1.39 million | +4.2% |
| 1974 | 1.51 million | +8.1% |
| 1975 | 1.58 million | +5.0% |
| 1976 | 1.67 million | +5.9% |
| 1977 | 1.73 million | +3.6% |
| 1978 | 1.73 million | -0.2% |
| 1979 | 1.89 million | +9.0% |
| 1980 | 2.00 million | +5.9% |
| 1981 | 2.11 million | +5.8% |
| 1982 | 2.12 million | +0.3% |
| 1983 | 2.27 million | +7.0% |
| 1984 | 2.42 million | +6.6% |
| 1985 | 2.53 million | +4.8% |
| 1986 | 2.73 million | +7.8% |
| 1987 | 2.95 million | +8.0% |
| 1988 | 3.14 million | +6.6% |
| 1989 | 3.37 million | +7.4% |
| 1990 | 3.54 million | +4.8% |
| 1991 | 3.76 million | +6.4% |
| 1992 | 3.95 million | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 4.17 million | +5.4% |
| 1994 | 4.40 million | +5.5% |
| 1995 | 4.80 million | +9.0% |
| 1996 | 5.02 million | +4.7% |
| 1997 | 5.12 million | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 5.22 million | +2.0% |
| 1999 | 5.47 million | +4.7% |
| 2000 | 5.56 million | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 5.59 million | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 5.64 million | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 5.72 million | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 6.11 million | +6.7% |
| 2005 | 6.31 million | +3.2% |
| 2006 | 6.54 million | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 7.11 million | +8.6% |
| 2008 | 7.59 million | +6.8% |
| 2009 | 8.02 million | +5.6% |
| 2010 | 8.33 million | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 8.61 million | +3.3% |
| 2012 | 9.01 million | +4.6% |
| 2013 | 9.05 million | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 9.47 million | +4.7% |
| 2015 | 9.64 million | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 9.53 million | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 9.87 million | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 10.05 million | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 9.69 million | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 8.74 million | -9.8% |
| 2021 | 9.24 million | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 9.56 million | +3.5% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 9.56 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017, 129.2× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- India's 9.56 million is above the median for South Asia, which is 270,525, 35.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 30,757 | 30,488 | 31,026 | 10 |
| 1760s | 31,359 | 31,086 | 31,632 | 10 |
| 1770s | 31,970 | 31,693 | 32,247 | 10 |
| 1780s | 32,590 | 32,309 | 32,871 | 10 |
| 1790s | 33,219 | 32,933 | 33,504 | 10 |
| 1800s | 34,060 | 33,567 | 34,555 | 10 |
| 1810s | 35,170 | 34,665 | 35,677 | 10 |
| 1820s | 36,430 | 35,790 | 37,073 | 10 |
| 1830s | 38,209 | 37,217 | 39,206 | 10 |
| 1840s | 40,474 | 39,429 | 41,525 | 10 |
| 1850s | 43,201 | 41,859 | 45,739 | 10 |
| 1860s | 46,821 | 45,920 | 47,946 | 10 |
| 1870s | 50,404 | 48,124 | 55,932 | 10 |
| 1880s | 63,780 | 57,090 | 73,615 | 10 |
| 1890s | 85,044 | 75,687 | 97,450 | 10 |
| 1900s | 141,734 | 103,716 | 184,079 | 10 |
| 1910s | 216,820 | 175,892 | 261,032 | 10 |
| 1920s | 252,982 | 234,317 | 271,003 | 10 |
| 1930s | 256,624 | 235,961 | 289,110 | 10 |
| 1940s | 318,852 | 301,286 | 335,624 | 10 |
| 1950s | 535,309 | 417,026 | 675,861 | 10 |
| 1960s | 916,624 | 712,090 | 1.13 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.53 million | 1.20 million | 1.89 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.56 million | 2.00 million | 3.37 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.54 million | 3.54 million | 5.47 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.42 million | 5.56 million | 8.02 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.32 million | 8.33 million | 10.05 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.18 million | 8.74 million | 9.56 million | 3 |
Countries ranked near India
More environment data for India
- Grazing land use over the long-term, annual growth rate 0.3669 % change on previous year (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per capita 0.0072 hectares per person (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 11.05 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 12.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.254 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.954 °C (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per square kilometre 3.51 hectares per square kilometre (2024)
- Sawnwood, coniferous — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is long run air pollution in India?
- Long run air pollution in India was 9.56 million in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest long run air pollution recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 10.05 million in 2018.
- What is the lowest long run air pollution recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 30,488 in 1750.
- How does India rank for long run air pollution?
- India ranks 2nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is long run air pollution rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Long run air pollution. 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).