Emissions of air pollutants in Libya
Libya: Emissions of air pollutants was 250,087 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
250,087 tonnes
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
59th
of 220 countries
All-time high
306,613 tonnes
in 2010
All-time low
88.93 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Libya, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Libya recorded 250,087 tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.2% on the previous year and down 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Libya peaked at 306,613 tonnes in 2010 and was at its lowest, 88.93 tonnes, in 1750.
Libya ranks 59th of 220 countries on this measure, 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 Libya, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 88.93 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 88.95 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 88.98 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 89 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 89.03 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 89.06 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 89.08 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 89.11 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 89.13 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 89.16 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 89.19 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 89.21 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 89.24 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 89.26 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 89.29 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 89.31 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 89.34 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 89.36 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 89.39 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 89.42 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 89.44 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 89.47 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 89.49 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 89.52 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 89.54 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 89.57 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 89.59 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 89.62 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 89.64 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 89.67 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 89.69 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 89.72 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 89.74 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 89.77 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 89.79 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 89.82 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 89.84 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 89.87 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 89.89 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 89.92 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 89.94 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 89.97 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 89.99 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 90.02 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 90.04 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 90.07 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 90.09 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 90.12 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 90.14 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 90.16 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 90.19 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 90.49 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 90.79 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1803 | 91.09 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1804 | 91.39 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1805 | 91.69 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1806 | 91.99 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1807 | 92.28 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1808 | 92.58 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1809 | 92.88 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1810 | 93.18 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1811 | 93.53 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1812 | 93.88 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1813 | 94.23 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1814 | 94.58 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1815 | 94.93 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1816 | 95.27 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1817 | 95.62 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1818 | 95.98 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 96.33 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1820 | 96.68 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1821 | 97.03 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1822 | 97.38 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1823 | 97.74 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1824 | 98.09 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1825 | 98.44 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1826 | 98.79 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1827 | 99.15 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1828 | 99.51 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1829 | 99.86 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1830 | 100.22 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1831 | 100.58 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1832 | 100.93 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1833 | 101.29 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1834 | 101.65 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1835 | 102.01 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1836 | 102.36 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1837 | 102.72 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1838 | 103.08 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1839 | 103.44 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1840 | 103.8 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1841 | 104.16 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1842 | 104.53 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1843 | 104.89 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1844 | 105.25 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1845 | 105.61 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1846 | 105.97 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1847 | 106.34 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1848 | 106.7 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1849 | 107.07 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1850 | 107.43 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1851 | 107.8 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1852 | 108.17 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1853 | 108.53 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1854 | 108.9 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1855 | 109.26 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1856 | 109.63 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1857 | 110 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1858 | 110.37 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1859 | 110.74 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1860 | 111.11 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1861 | 112.03 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1862 | 112.95 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1863 | 113.88 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1864 | 114.81 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1865 | 115.74 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1866 | 116.67 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1867 | 117.61 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1868 | 118.55 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1869 | 119.5 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1870 | 120.44 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1871 | 121.4 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1872 | 122.35 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1873 | 123.31 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1874 | 124.27 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1875 | 125.23 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1876 | 126.2 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1877 | 127.18 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1878 | 128.15 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1879 | 129.12 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1880 | 130.1 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1881 | 131.09 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1882 | 132.08 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1883 | 133.07 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 134.06 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 135.06 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1886 | 136.06 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1887 | 137.07 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1888 | 138.11 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1889 | 139.15 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1890 | 140.2 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1891 | 142.95 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1892 | 145.73 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1893 | 148.53 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1894 | 151.34 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1895 | 154.19 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1896 | 157.05 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1897 | 159.93 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1898 | 162.84 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1899 | 165.76 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1900 | 168.71 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1901 | 173.4 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1902 | 177.98 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1903 | 182.45 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1904 | 186.8 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1905 | 191.05 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1906 | 195.23 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1907 | 199.29 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1908 | 203.23 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1909 | 207.05 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1910 | 210.74 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1911 | 213.46 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1912 | 216.03 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1913 | 220.31 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1914 | 225.59 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1915 | 231.09 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1916 | 236.81 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1917 | 242.75 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1918 | 248.94 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1919 | 255.38 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1920 | 262.08 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1921 | 268.24 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1922 | 274.8 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1923 | 281.26 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1924 | 288.09 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1925 | 301.53 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1926 | 313.38 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1927 | 323.01 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1928 | 332.05 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1929 | 340.16 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1930 | 347.88 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1931 | 362.57 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1932 | 376.63 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1933 | 390.4 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1934 | 404.27 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1935 | 418.56 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1936 | 436.19 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1937 | 453.7 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1938 | 471.08 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1939 | 488.31 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1940 | 505.42 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1941 | 522.03 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1942 | 538.29 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1943 | 555.83 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1944 | 574.79 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1945 | 594.89 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1946 | 618.58 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1947 | 644.53 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1948 | 671.76 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1949 | 702.74 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1950 | 2,273 tonnes | +223.5% |
| 1951 | 2,601 tonnes | +14.4% |
| 1952 | 2,529 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1953 | 3,458 tonnes | +36.7% |
| 1954 | 3,692 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1955 | 3,980 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1956 | 3,786 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1957 | 3,686 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1958 | 4,004 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1959 | 4,973 tonnes | +24.2% |
| 1960 | 7,664 tonnes | +54.1% |
| 1961 | 12,908 tonnes | +68.4% |
| 1962 | 12,700 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1963 | 18,404 tonnes | +44.9% |
| 1964 | 12,565 tonnes | -31.7% |
| 1965 | 18,110 tonnes | +44.1% |
| 1966 | 35,782 tonnes | +97.6% |
| 1967 | 35,782 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 46,127 tonnes | +28.9% |
| 1969 | 82,244 tonnes | +78.3% |
| 1970 | 48,325 tonnes | -41.2% |
| 1971 | 30,420 tonnes | -37.1% |
| 1972 | 36,437 tonnes | +19.8% |
| 1973 | 41,175 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1974 | 44,272 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1975 | 53,944 tonnes | +21.8% |
| 1976 | 64,883 tonnes | +20.3% |
| 1977 | 72,423 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1978 | 84,439 tonnes | +16.6% |
| 1979 | 89,614 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1980 | 99,479 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1981 | 109,037 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 119,921 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1983 | 125,832 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1984 | 131,254 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1985 | 121,014 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1986 | 120,679 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1987 | 127,830 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1988 | 137,453 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1989 | 137,186 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1990 | 140,394 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1991 | 141,453 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1992 | 137,638 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1993 | 153,445 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1994 | 180,113 tonnes | +17.4% |
| 1995 | 195,637 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1996 | 221,840 tonnes | +13.4% |
| 1997 | 217,010 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1998 | 219,841 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1999 | 222,675 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2000 | 229,473 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2001 | 228,250 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 234,731 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 2003 | 243,161 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 240,987 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 252,892 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 266,544 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 2007 | 252,284 tonnes | -5.3% |
| 2008 | 263,708 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2009 | 285,429 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 2010 | 306,613 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 2011 | 195,435 tonnes | -36.3% |
| 2012 | 277,944 tonnes | +42.2% |
| 2013 | 274,820 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 272,962 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 234,068 tonnes | -14.2% |
| 2016 | 232,794 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 243,927 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 2018 | 250,503 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 253,258 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 206,076 tonnes | -18.6% |
| 2021 | 235,433 tonnes | +14.2% |
| 2022 | 250,087 tonnes | +6.2% |
Libya compared with similar countries
- Libya's 250,087 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 104,784 tonnes, 2.4× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Libya's 250,087 tonnes is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 251,040 tonnes, 100% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Libya 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 | +223.5% | 702.74 tonnes | 2,273 tonnes |
| 1966 | +97.6% | 18,110 tonnes | 35,782 tonnes |
| 1969 | +78.3% | 46,127 tonnes | 82,244 tonnes |
| 1961 | +68.4% | 7,664 tonnes | 12,908 tonnes |
| 1960 | +54.1% | 4,973 tonnes | 7,664 tonnes |
| 1963 | +44.9% | 12,700 tonnes | 18,404 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 89.04 tonnes | 88.93 tonnes | 89.16 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 89.3 tonnes | 89.19 tonnes | 89.42 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 89.56 tonnes | 89.44 tonnes | 89.67 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 89.81 tonnes | 89.69 tonnes | 89.92 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 90.05 tonnes | 89.94 tonnes | 90.16 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 91.54 tonnes | 90.19 tonnes | 92.88 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 94.75 tonnes | 93.18 tonnes | 96.33 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 98.27 tonnes | 96.68 tonnes | 99.86 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 101.83 tonnes | 100.22 tonnes | 103.44 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 105.43 tonnes | 103.8 tonnes | 107.07 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 109.08 tonnes | 107.43 tonnes | 110.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 115.29 tonnes | 111.11 tonnes | 119.5 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 124.77 tonnes | 120.44 tonnes | 129.12 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 134.59 tonnes | 130.1 tonnes | 139.15 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 152.85 tonnes | 140.2 tonnes | 165.76 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 188.52 tonnes | 168.71 tonnes | 207.05 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 230.11 tonnes | 210.74 tonnes | 255.38 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 298.46 tonnes | 262.08 tonnes | 340.16 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 414.96 tonnes | 347.88 tonnes | 488.31 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 592.89 tonnes | 505.42 tonnes | 702.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 3,498 tonnes | 2,273 tonnes | 4,973 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 28,229 tonnes | 7,664 tonnes | 82,244 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 56,593 tonnes | 30,420 tonnes | 89,614 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 122,969 tonnes | 99,479 tonnes | 137,453 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 183,005 tonnes | 137,638 tonnes | 222,675 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 249,746 tonnes | 228,250 tonnes | 285,429 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 254,232 tonnes | 195,435 tonnes | 306,613 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 230,532 tonnes | 206,076 tonnes | 250,087 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Libya
More environment data for Libya
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -35.17 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -10.37 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.386 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.4 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.2239 % 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 0.1672 % 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 Libya?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Libya was 250,087 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 Libya?
- The highest recorded value was 306,613 tonnes in 2010.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Libya?
- The lowest recorded value was 88.93 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Libya rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Libya ranks 59th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Libya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Libya 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.