Emissions of air pollutants in Iran
Iran: Emissions of air pollutants was 1.74 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.74 million tonnes
Change on year
up 4.0%
World rank
12th
of 220 countries
All-time high
2.07 million tonnes
in 2014
All-time low
1,782 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Iran, 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 Iran is 1.74 million tonnes, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 4.0% on the previous year and down 1.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Iran peaked at 2.07 million tonnes in 2014 and was at its lowest, 1,782 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Iran 12th 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 Iran, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1,782 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1,786 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 1,789 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 1,793 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 1,797 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 1,800 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 1,804 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 1,808 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 1,812 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 1,815 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 1,819 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 1,823 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 1,827 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 1,830 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 1,834 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 1,838 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 1,842 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 1,845 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 1,849 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 1,853 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 1,857 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 1,861 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 1,864 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 1,868 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 1,872 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 1,876 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 1,880 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 1,884 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 1,888 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 1,891 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 1,895 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 1,899 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 1,903 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 1,907 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 1,911 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 1,915 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 1,919 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 1,923 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 1,927 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 1,931 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 1,934 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 1,938 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 1,942 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 1,946 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 1,950 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 1,954 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 1,958 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 1,962 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 1,966 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 1,970 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 1,974 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 1,983 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 1,991 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 1,999 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 2,007 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 2,016 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 2,024 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 2,032 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 2,041 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 2,049 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 2,057 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 2,066 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1812 | 2,074 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1813 | 2,083 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1814 | 2,091 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1815 | 2,100 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1816 | 2,108 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1817 | 2,117 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1818 | 2,125 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 2,134 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1820 | 2,143 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1821 | 2,159 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1822 | 2,175 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1823 | 2,192 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1824 | 2,208 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1825 | 2,225 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1826 | 2,241 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1827 | 2,258 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1828 | 2,275 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1829 | 2,291 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1830 | 2,308 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1831 | 2,325 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1832 | 2,342 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1833 | 2,358 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1834 | 2,375 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1835 | 2,392 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1836 | 2,409 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1837 | 2,426 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1838 | 2,444 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1839 | 2,461 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1840 | 2,478 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1841 | 2,495 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1842 | 2,512 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1843 | 2,530 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1844 | 2,547 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1845 | 2,564 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1846 | 2,582 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1847 | 2,599 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1848 | 2,617 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1849 | 2,635 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1850 | 2,659 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1851 | 2,673 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1852 | 2,688 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1853 | 2,702 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1854 | 2,716 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1855 | 2,730 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1856 | 2,745 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1857 | 2,759 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1858 | 2,774 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1859 | 2,788 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1860 | 2,802 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1861 | 2,824 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1862 | 2,846 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1863 | 2,868 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1864 | 2,890 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1865 | 2,911 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1866 | 2,934 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1867 | 2,956 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1868 | 2,978 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1869 | 3,000 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1870 | 3,022 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1871 | 3,073 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1872 | 3,124 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1873 | 3,175 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1874 | 3,227 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1875 | 3,278 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1876 | 3,330 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1877 | 3,383 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1878 | 3,436 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1879 | 3,489 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1880 | 3,542 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1881 | 3,596 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1882 | 3,650 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1883 | 3,704 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1884 | 3,759 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1885 | 3,813 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1886 | 3,869 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1887 | 3,925 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1888 | 3,981 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1889 | 4,037 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1890 | 4,094 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1891 | 4,142 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1892 | 4,191 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1893 | 4,239 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1894 | 4,288 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1895 | 4,336 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1896 | 4,386 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1897 | 4,435 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1898 | 4,484 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1899 | 4,534 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1900 | 4,583 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1901 | 4,637 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1902 | 4,691 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1903 | 4,745 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1904 | 4,798 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1905 | 4,852 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1906 | 4,907 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1907 | 4,962 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1908 | 5,017 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1909 | 5,071 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1910 | 5,126 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1911 | 5,932 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1912 | 6,732 tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1913 | 7,544 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1914 | 8,340 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1915 | 9,128 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1916 | 9,932 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1917 | 10,738 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1918 | 11,532 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1919 | 12,328 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1920 | 13,127 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1921 | 13,928 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1922 | 14,729 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1923 | 15,525 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1924 | 16,303 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1925 | 17,157 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1926 | 17,962 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1927 | 18,720 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1928 | 19,420 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1929 | 20,014 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1930 | 20,660 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 21,249 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1932 | 21,898 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1933 | 22,512 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1934 | 23,086 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1935 | 23,594 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1936 | 24,239 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1937 | 24,971 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1938 | 25,461 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1939 | 27,323 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1940 | 28,056 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1941 | 28,261 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1942 | 28,861 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1943 | 29,091 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1944 | 30,606 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1945 | 32,599 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1946 | 33,910 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1947 | 35,951 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1948 | 36,750 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1949 | 38,592 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1950 | 41,005 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1951 | 40,229 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1952 | 38,016 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1953 | 36,888 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1954 | 37,837 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1955 | 40,266 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1956 | 81,617 tonnes | +102.7% |
| 1957 | 99,903 tonnes | +22.4% |
| 1958 | 113,161 tonnes | +13.3% |
| 1959 | 103,437 tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1960 | 167,051 tonnes | +61.5% |
| 1961 | 148,867 tonnes | -10.9% |
| 1962 | 143,951 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1963 | 152,676 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1964 | 170,927 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1965 | 175,163 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1966 | 178,921 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1967 | 182,033 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1968 | 219,729 tonnes | +20.7% |
| 1969 | 199,637 tonnes | -9.1% |
| 1970 | 247,796 tonnes | +24.1% |
| 1971 | 275,359 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1972 | 296,044 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1973 | 344,631 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 1974 | 377,370 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1975 | 420,854 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1976 | 458,239 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1977 | 511,334 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1978 | 503,943 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1979 | 513,424 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 471,587 tonnes | -8.1% |
| 1981 | 466,353 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1982 | 530,245 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1983 | 625,453 tonnes | +18.0% |
| 1984 | 668,322 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1985 | 735,830 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1986 | 713,949 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1987 | 756,302 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1988 | 774,334 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1989 | 846,344 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1990 | 912,027 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1991 | 999,068 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1992 | 1.05 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1993 | 1.06 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 1.12 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1995 | 1.11 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 1.15 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1997 | 1.18 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1998 | 1.17 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 1.25 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 2000 | 1.26 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 1.31 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 2002 | 1.34 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2003 | 1.34 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 1.38 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2005 | 1.44 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 1.48 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 1.54 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 2008 | 1.58 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 2009 | 1.74 million tonnes | +9.8% |
| 2010 | 1.65 million tonnes | -5.1% |
| 2011 | 1.65 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2012 | 1.77 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2013 | 1.94 million tonnes | +9.8% |
| 2014 | 2.07 million tonnes | +6.9% |
| 2015 | 2.05 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 2016 | 1.69 million tonnes | -17.6% |
| 2017 | 1.65 million tonnes | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 1.66 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 1.66 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 1.62 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 1.67 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 1.74 million tonnes | +4.0% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 1.74 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 104,784 tonnes, 16.6× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Iran's 1.74 million tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 251,040 tonnes, 6.9× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Iran 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | +102.7% | 40,266 tonnes | 81,617 tonnes |
| 1960 | +61.5% | 103,437 tonnes | 167,051 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 1,799 tonnes | 1,782 tonnes | 1,815 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 1,836 tonnes | 1,819 tonnes | 1,853 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 1,874 tonnes | 1,857 tonnes | 1,891 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 1,913 tonnes | 1,895 tonnes | 1,931 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 1,952 tonnes | 1,934 tonnes | 1,970 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 2,012 tonnes | 1,974 tonnes | 2,049 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 2,096 tonnes | 2,057 tonnes | 2,134 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 2,217 tonnes | 2,143 tonnes | 2,291 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 2,384 tonnes | 2,308 tonnes | 2,461 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 2,556 tonnes | 2,478 tonnes | 2,635 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 2,723 tonnes | 2,659 tonnes | 2,788 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2,901 tonnes | 2,802 tonnes | 3,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 3,254 tonnes | 3,022 tonnes | 3,489 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 3,788 tonnes | 3,542 tonnes | 4,037 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 4,313 tonnes | 4,094 tonnes | 4,534 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 4,826 tonnes | 4,583 tonnes | 5,071 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 8,733 tonnes | 5,126 tonnes | 12,328 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 16,688 tonnes | 13,127 tonnes | 20,014 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 23,499 tonnes | 20,660 tonnes | 27,323 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 32,268 tonnes | 28,056 tonnes | 38,592 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 63,236 tonnes | 36,888 tonnes | 113,161 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 173,896 tonnes | 143,951 tonnes | 219,729 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 394,899 tonnes | 247,796 tonnes | 513,424 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 658,872 tonnes | 466,353 tonnes | 846,344 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.10 million tonnes | 912,027 tonnes | 1.25 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.44 million tonnes | 1.26 million tonnes | 1.74 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.78 million tonnes | 1.65 million tonnes | 2.07 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.68 million tonnes | 1.62 million tonnes | 1.74 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Iran
- 9 Japan 2.07 million tonnes compare
- 10 United Arab Emirates 2.06 million tonnes compare
- 11 South Africa 1.86 million tonnes compare
- 13 Pakistan 1.68 million tonnes compare
- 14 South Korea 1.63 million tonnes compare
- 15 Canada 1.41 million tonnes compare
More environment data for Iran
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -30.46 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -21.27 Percentage change (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.4 % 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 1.9 % 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)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual -0.0807 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Iran?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Iran was 1.74 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 Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 2.07 million tonnes in 2014.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,782 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Iran rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Iran ranks 12th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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.