Emissions of air pollutants in Italy
Italy: Emissions of air pollutants was 748,652 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
748,652 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
34th
of 220 countries
All-time high
2.39 million tonnes
in 1992
All-time low
5,104 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Italy, 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 Italy is 748,652 tonnes, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.6% on the previous year and down 28.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Italy peaked at 2.39 million tonnes in 1992 and was at its lowest, 5,104 tonnes, in 1750.
Italy ranks 34th of 220 countries on this measure, 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 Italy, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 5,104 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 5,118 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1752 | 5,133 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1753 | 5,147 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1754 | 5,162 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1755 | 5,176 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1756 | 5,190 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1757 | 5,205 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1758 | 5,219 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1759 | 5,233 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1760 | 5,248 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1761 | 5,263 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1762 | 5,277 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1763 | 5,292 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1764 | 5,307 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1765 | 5,322 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1766 | 5,337 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1767 | 5,351 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1768 | 5,366 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1769 | 5,381 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1770 | 5,396 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1771 | 5,411 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1772 | 5,426 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1773 | 5,441 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1774 | 5,457 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1775 | 5,472 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1776 | 5,487 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1777 | 5,502 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1778 | 5,517 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1779 | 5,532 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1780 | 5,547 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1781 | 5,563 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1782 | 5,579 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1783 | 5,594 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1784 | 5,610 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1785 | 5,626 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1786 | 5,641 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1787 | 5,657 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1788 | 5,672 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1789 | 5,688 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1790 | 5,703 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1791 | 5,719 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1792 | 5,735 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1793 | 5,751 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1794 | 5,767 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1795 | 5,783 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1796 | 5,799 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1797 | 5,815 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1798 | 5,831 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1799 | 5,847 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1800 | 5,863 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1801 | 5,881 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 5,899 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1803 | 5,917 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1804 | 5,934 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1805 | 5,952 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1806 | 5,970 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1807 | 5,988 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1808 | 6,006 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1809 | 6,023 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1810 | 6,041 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1811 | 6,059 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1812 | 6,078 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1813 | 6,096 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1814 | 6,114 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1815 | 6,133 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1816 | 6,151 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1817 | 6,169 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1818 | 6,187 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1819 | 6,206 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1820 | 6,224 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1821 | 6,263 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1822 | 6,301 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1823 | 6,340 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1824 | 6,379 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1825 | 6,417 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1826 | 6,456 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1827 | 6,494 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1828 | 6,533 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1829 | 6,571 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1830 | 6,609 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1831 | 6,651 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1832 | 6,692 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1833 | 6,733 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1834 | 6,774 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 6,815 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1836 | 6,856 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 6,896 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 6,937 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 6,978 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 7,019 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1841 | 7,062 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1842 | 7,106 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1843 | 7,150 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1844 | 7,193 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1845 | 7,237 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 7,280 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 7,324 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 7,367 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1849 | 7,410 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1850 | 7,474 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1851 | 7,512 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1852 | 7,548 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1853 | 7,583 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1854 | 7,617 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1855 | 7,649 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1856 | 7,684 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1857 | 7,717 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1858 | 7,749 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1859 | 7,779 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1860 | 7,863 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1861 | 9,128 tonnes | +16.1% |
| 1862 | 10,187 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1863 | 9,888 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1864 | 10,928 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1865 | 10,488 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1866 | 11,228 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1867 | 11,650 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1868 | 12,728 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1869 | 13,179 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1870 | 15,258 tonnes | +15.8% |
| 1871 | 14,740 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1872 | 16,140 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1873 | 15,676 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1874 | 16,476 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1875 | 16,742 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1876 | 18,535 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 1877 | 17,881 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1878 | 17,603 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1879 | 18,706 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1880 | 19,916 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1881 | 21,780 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1882 | 22,490 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1883 | 23,343 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1884 | 24,947 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1885 | 27,285 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1886 | 26,841 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1887 | 30,507 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1888 | 31,876 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1889 | 32,567 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1890 | 34,443 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1891 | 32,113 tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1892 | 31,751 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1893 | 30,973 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1894 | 35,771 tonnes | +15.5% |
| 1895 | 33,500 tonnes | -6.3% |
| 1896 | 32,491 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1897 | 33,371 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1898 | 34,262 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1899 | 36,494 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1900 | 37,105 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1901 | 36,722 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1902 | 40,258 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1903 | 41,511 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1904 | 43,850 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1905 | 47,706 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1906 | 54,362 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1907 | 58,420 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1908 | 60,090 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1909 | 65,633 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1910 | 66,482 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1911 | 69,451 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1912 | 72,507 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1913 | 77,411 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1914 | 72,641 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1915 | 66,242 tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1916 | 66,558 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1917 | 51,724 tonnes | -22.3% |
| 1918 | 57,970 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1919 | 56,131 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1920 | 54,396 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1921 | 61,584 tonnes | +13.2% |
| 1922 | 71,187 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1923 | 75,004 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1924 | 86,379 tonnes | +15.2% |
| 1925 | 85,863 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1926 | 96,688 tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1927 | 107,751 tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1928 | 102,904 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1929 | 117,241 tonnes | +13.9% |
| 1930 | 109,709 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1931 | 98,702 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 1932 | 85,940 tonnes | -12.9% |
| 1933 | 89,589 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1934 | 109,156 tonnes | +21.8% |
| 1935 | 123,140 tonnes | +12.8% |
| 1936 | 93,562 tonnes | -24.0% |
| 1937 | 133,917 tonnes | +43.1% |
| 1938 | 139,020 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1939 | 147,073 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1940 | 137,619 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1941 | 110,904 tonnes | -19.4% |
| 1942 | 112,625 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1943 | 33,621 tonnes | -70.1% |
| 1944 | 26,184 tonnes | -22.1% |
| 1945 | 28,038 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1946 | 68,043 tonnes | +142.7% |
| 1947 | 112,287 tonnes | +65.0% |
| 1948 | 116,284 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1949 | 132,439 tonnes | +13.9% |
| 1950 | 149,991 tonnes | +13.3% |
| 1951 | 176,408 tonnes | +17.6% |
| 1952 | 186,628 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1953 | 203,855 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1954 | 240,117 tonnes | +17.8% |
| 1955 | 273,126 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1956 | 314,390 tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1957 | 333,928 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1958 | 345,437 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1959 | 376,419 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1960 | 795,799 tonnes | +111.4% |
| 1961 | 955,239 tonnes | +20.0% |
| 1962 | 1.04 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1963 | 1.16 million tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1964 | 1.32 million tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1965 | 1.46 million tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1966 | 1.61 million tonnes | +10.9% |
| 1967 | 1.65 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1968 | 1.74 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1969 | 1.87 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1970 | 1.88 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1971 | 1.99 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1972 | 2.11 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1973 | 2.16 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1974 | 2.05 million tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1975 | 2.00 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1976 | 2.07 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 2.05 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1978 | 2.12 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1979 | 2.20 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1980 | 2.11 million tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1981 | 2.05 million tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1982 | 2.07 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1983 | 1.97 million tonnes | -5.2% |
| 1984 | 1.98 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 2.09 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1986 | 2.17 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 2.27 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1988 | 2.29 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1989 | 2.30 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 2.31 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1991 | 2.36 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1992 | 2.39 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1993 | 2.29 million tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1994 | 2.19 million tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1995 | 2.16 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1996 | 2.07 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1997 | 1.99 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 1998 | 1.88 million tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1999 | 1.77 million tonnes | -5.9% |
| 2000 | 1.68 million tonnes | -5.1% |
| 2001 | 1.66 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 2002 | 1.62 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2003 | 1.62 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 1.58 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 2005 | 1.52 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 2006 | 1.48 million tonnes | -2.8% |
| 2007 | 1.42 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 2008 | 1.31 million tonnes | -7.7% |
| 2009 | 1.18 million tonnes | -9.8% |
| 2010 | 1.19 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 1.10 million tonnes | -7.1% |
| 2012 | 1.04 million tonnes | -5.5% |
| 2013 | 950,996 tonnes | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 907,345 tonnes | -4.6% |
| 2015 | 875,973 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 883,265 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 846,636 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 2018 | 862,898 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 834,524 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 2020 | 701,731 tonnes | -15.9% |
| 2021 | 744,427 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 2022 | 748,652 tonnes | +0.6% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 748,652 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 8.3× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Italy's 748,652 tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 7.3× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Italy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | +142.7% | 28,038 tonnes | 68,043 tonnes |
| 1960 | +111.4% | 376,419 tonnes | 795,799 tonnes |
| 1943 | -70.1% | 112,625 tonnes | 33,621 tonnes |
| 1947 | +65.0% | 68,043 tonnes | 112,287 tonnes |
| 1937 | +43.1% | 93,562 tonnes | 133,917 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 5,169 tonnes | 5,104 tonnes | 5,233 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 5,314 tonnes | 5,248 tonnes | 5,381 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 5,464 tonnes | 5,396 tonnes | 5,532 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 5,618 tonnes | 5,547 tonnes | 5,688 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 5,775 tonnes | 5,703 tonnes | 5,847 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 5,943 tonnes | 5,863 tonnes | 6,023 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 6,123 tonnes | 6,041 tonnes | 6,206 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 6,398 tonnes | 6,224 tonnes | 6,571 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 6,794 tonnes | 6,609 tonnes | 6,978 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 7,215 tonnes | 7,019 tonnes | 7,410 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 7,631 tonnes | 7,474 tonnes | 7,779 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 10,727 tonnes | 7,863 tonnes | 13,179 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 16,776 tonnes | 14,740 tonnes | 18,706 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 26,155 tonnes | 19,916 tonnes | 32,567 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 33,517 tonnes | 30,973 tonnes | 36,494 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 48,566 tonnes | 36,722 tonnes | 65,633 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 65,712 tonnes | 51,724 tonnes | 77,411 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 85,900 tonnes | 54,396 tonnes | 117,241 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 112,981 tonnes | 85,940 tonnes | 147,073 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 87,804 tonnes | 26,184 tonnes | 137,619 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 260,030 tonnes | 149,991 tonnes | 376,419 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.36 million tonnes | 795,799 tonnes | 1.87 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.06 million tonnes | 1.88 million tonnes | 2.20 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.13 million tonnes | 1.97 million tonnes | 2.30 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.14 million tonnes | 1.77 million tonnes | 2.39 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.51 million tonnes | 1.18 million tonnes | 1.68 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 949,472 tonnes | 834,524 tonnes | 1.19 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 731,603 tonnes | 701,731 tonnes | 748,652 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Italy
- 31 United Kingdom 833,456 tonnes compare
- 32 France 820,688 tonnes compare
- 33 Belgium 750,371 tonnes compare
- 35 Philippines 711,503 tonnes compare
- 36 Hong Kong 677,510 tonnes compare
- 37 Turkmenistan 676,311 tonnes compare
More environment data for Italy
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.04 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 2.47 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.324 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.18 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.94 % 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 -0.2257 % 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 Italy?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Italy was 748,652 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 Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 2.39 million tonnes in 1992.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 5,104 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Italy rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Italy ranks 34th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 28.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Italy 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.