Emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho
Lesotho: Emissions of air pollutants was 12,414 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
12,414 tonnes
Change on year
up 8.1%
World rank
173rd
of 220 countries
All-time high
12,414 tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
8.61 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 12,414 tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
That represents a change of up 8.1% on the previous year and up 44.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho peaked at 12,414 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 8.61 tonnes, in 1750.
Lesotho ranks 173rd of 220 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 8.61 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 8.71 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1752 | 8.8 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1753 | 8.9 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1754 | 8.99 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1755 | 9.09 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1756 | 9.18 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1757 | 9.28 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1758 | 9.37 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1759 | 9.47 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1760 | 9.57 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1761 | 9.67 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1762 | 9.78 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1763 | 9.88 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1764 | 9.99 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1765 | 10.1 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1766 | 10.2 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1767 | 10.31 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1768 | 10.41 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1769 | 10.52 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1770 | 10.63 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1771 | 10.74 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1772 | 10.86 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1773 | 10.98 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1774 | 11.1 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1775 | 11.22 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1776 | 11.33 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1777 | 11.45 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1778 | 11.57 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1779 | 11.69 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1780 | 11.81 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1781 | 11.94 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1782 | 12.07 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1783 | 12.2 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1784 | 12.33 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1785 | 12.46 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1786 | 12.59 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1787 | 12.72 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1788 | 12.85 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1789 | 12.99 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1790 | 13.12 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1791 | 13.26 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1792 | 13.41 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1793 | 13.55 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1794 | 13.7 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1795 | 13.84 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1796 | 13.99 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1797 | 14.14 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1798 | 14.28 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1799 | 14.43 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1800 | 14.57 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1801 | 14.75 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1802 | 14.93 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1803 | 15.12 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1804 | 15.3 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1805 | 15.48 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1806 | 15.66 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1807 | 15.85 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1808 | 16.03 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1809 | 16.22 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1810 | 16.4 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1811 | 16.75 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1812 | 17.1 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1813 | 17.45 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1814 | 17.8 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1815 | 18.16 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1816 | 18.51 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1817 | 18.86 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1818 | 19.22 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1819 | 19.58 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1820 | 19.93 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1821 | 20.36 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1822 | 20.78 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1823 | 21.21 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1824 | 21.64 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1825 | 22.06 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1826 | 22.49 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1827 | 22.92 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1828 | 23.36 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1829 | 23.79 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1830 | 24.22 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1831 | 24.74 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1832 | 25.25 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1833 | 25.77 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1834 | 26.29 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1835 | 26.81 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1836 | 27.33 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1837 | 27.85 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1838 | 28.38 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1839 | 28.9 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1840 | 29.43 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1841 | 30.05 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1842 | 30.68 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1843 | 31.31 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1844 | 31.94 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1845 | 32.57 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1846 | 33.2 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1847 | 33.83 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1848 | 34.47 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1849 | 35.11 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1850 | 35.75 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1851 | 36.36 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1852 | 36.99 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1853 | 37.61 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1854 | 38.25 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1855 | 38.89 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1856 | 39.53 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1857 | 40.18 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1858 | 40.84 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1859 | 41.5 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1860 | 42.17 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1861 | 43.23 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1862 | 44.29 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1863 | 45.38 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1864 | 46.47 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1865 | 47.58 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1866 | 48.7 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1867 | 49.83 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1868 | 50.98 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1869 | 52.14 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1870 | 53.31 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1871 | 54.71 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1872 | 56.13 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1873 | 57.57 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1874 | 59.02 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1875 | 60.49 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1876 | 61.97 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1877 | 63.48 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1878 | 64.99 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1879 | 66.53 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1880 | 68.08 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1881 | 69.96 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1882 | 71.86 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1883 | 73.78 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1884 | 75.72 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1885 | 77.68 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1886 | 79.66 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1887 | 81.66 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1888 | 83.7 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1889 | 85.76 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1890 | 87.99 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1891 | 90.56 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1892 | 93.15 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1893 | 95.77 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1894 | 98.42 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1895 | 101.09 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1896 | 103.57 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1897 | 106.06 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1898 | 108.59 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1899 | 111.13 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1900 | 113.7 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1901 | 120.47 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1902 | 127.34 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1903 | 134.29 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1904 | 141.34 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1905 | 149.15 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1906 | 157.19 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1907 | 165.43 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1908 | 173.88 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1909 | 182.54 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1910 | 191.4 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1911 | 203.13 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1912 | 215.14 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1913 | 227.4 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1914 | 239.95 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1915 | 252.77 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1916 | 265.87 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1917 | 279.26 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1918 | 292.95 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1919 | 306.94 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1920 | 321.23 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1921 | 338.27 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1922 | 353.5 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1923 | 368.47 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1924 | 383.67 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1925 | 405.86 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1926 | 426.56 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1927 | 444.74 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1928 | 462.07 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1929 | 477.93 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1930 | 492.94 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1931 | 514.17 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1932 | 534 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1933 | 552.9 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1934 | 571.36 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1935 | 589.83 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1936 | 612.4 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1937 | 639.19 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1938 | 665.41 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1939 | 691 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1940 | 715.9 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1941 | 733.37 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1942 | 749.8 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1943 | 767.58 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1944 | 786.92 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1945 | 807.4 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1946 | 832.56 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1947 | 860.27 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1948 | 889.14 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1949 | 922.74 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1950 | 955.2 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1951 | 980.43 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1952 | 1,004 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1953 | 1,028 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1954 | 1,049 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1955 | 1,066 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1956 | 1,086 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1957 | 1,109 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1958 | 1,138 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1959 | 1,166 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1960 | 1,189 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1961 | 1,218 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 1,249 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1963 | 1,276 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1964 | 1,303 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 1,360 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1966 | 1,413 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1967 | 1,472 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1968 | 1,519 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1969 | 1,563 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 1,662 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1971 | 1,697 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1972 | 1,746 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1973 | 1,773 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1974 | 1,815 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 1,890 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1976 | 1,939 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 1,918 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1978 | 1,978 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 2,049 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1980 | 2,144 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1981 | 2,199 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1982 | 2,281 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1983 | 2,280 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1984 | 2,297 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 2,362 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1986 | 2,437 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 2,573 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1988 | 2,607 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1989 | 2,564 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1990 | 2,540 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1991 | 2,594 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 2,845 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1993 | 2,828 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 3,005 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1995 | 3,008 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1996 | 2,990 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1997 | 2,971 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1998 | 2,907 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1999 | 3,403 tonnes | +17.0% |
| 2000 | 4,133 tonnes | +21.4% |
| 2001 | 4,204 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2002 | 4,209 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 4,203 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 4,312 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 4,488 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2006 | 4,563 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 6,013 tonnes | +31.8% |
| 2008 | 6,998 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 2009 | 7,605 tonnes | +8.7% |
| 2010 | 7,781 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2011 | 8,362 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 2012 | 8,624 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2013 | 8,515 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 8,644 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 9,357 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 2016 | 9,976 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 2017 | 10,618 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 2018 | 10,644 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 11,119 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2020 | 11,205 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 11,486 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 12,414 tonnes | +8.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 12,414 tonnes is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 17% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 12,414 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 44,992 tonnes, 28% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +31.8% | 4,563 tonnes | 6,013 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 9.04 tonnes | 8.61 tonnes | 9.47 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 10.04 tonnes | 9.57 tonnes | 10.52 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 11.16 tonnes | 10.63 tonnes | 11.69 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 12.4 tonnes | 11.81 tonnes | 12.99 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 13.77 tonnes | 13.12 tonnes | 14.43 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 15.39 tonnes | 14.57 tonnes | 16.22 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 17.98 tonnes | 16.4 tonnes | 19.58 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 21.85 tonnes | 19.93 tonnes | 23.79 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 26.55 tonnes | 24.22 tonnes | 28.9 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 32.26 tonnes | 29.43 tonnes | 35.11 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 38.59 tonnes | 35.75 tonnes | 41.5 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 47.08 tonnes | 42.17 tonnes | 52.14 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 59.82 tonnes | 53.31 tonnes | 66.53 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 76.78 tonnes | 68.08 tonnes | 85.76 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 99.63 tonnes | 87.99 tonnes | 111.13 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 146.53 tonnes | 113.7 tonnes | 182.54 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 247.48 tonnes | 191.4 tonnes | 306.94 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 398.23 tonnes | 321.23 tonnes | 477.93 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 586.32 tonnes | 492.94 tonnes | 691 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 806.57 tonnes | 715.9 tonnes | 922.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 1,058 tonnes | 955.2 tonnes | 1,166 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 1,356 tonnes | 1,189 tonnes | 1,563 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,847 tonnes | 1,662 tonnes | 2,049 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 2,374 tonnes | 2,144 tonnes | 2,607 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,909 tonnes | 2,540 tonnes | 3,403 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 5,073 tonnes | 4,133 tonnes | 7,605 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 9,364 tonnes | 7,781 tonnes | 11,119 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,702 tonnes | 11,205 tonnes | 12,414 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More environment data for Lesotho
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.284 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 0.783 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -0.521 % 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 -2.27 % 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 -0.4197 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Lesotho was 12,414 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 Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 12,414 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.61 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Lesotho rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Lesotho ranks 173rd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 44.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.