Emissions of air pollutants in Mexico
Mexico: Emissions of air pollutants was 1.23 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.23 million tonnes
Change on year
up 2.9%
World rank
17th
of 220 countries
All-time high
2.22 million tonnes
in 2008
All-time low
1,922 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Mexico, 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 Mexico is 1.23 million tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of up 2.9% on the previous year and down 41.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Mexico peaked at 2.22 million tonnes in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1,922 tonnes, in 1750.
Mexico ranks 17th 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.
Emissions of air pollutants in Mexico, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1,922 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1,928 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1752 | 1,933 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1753 | 1,939 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1754 | 1,945 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1755 | 1,951 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1756 | 1,957 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1757 | 1,963 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1758 | 1,969 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1759 | 1,975 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1760 | 1,981 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1761 | 1,987 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1762 | 1,993 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1763 | 1,999 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1764 | 2,006 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1765 | 2,012 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1766 | 2,018 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1767 | 2,024 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1768 | 2,030 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1769 | 2,036 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1770 | 2,042 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1771 | 2,049 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1772 | 2,055 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1773 | 2,061 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1774 | 2,067 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1775 | 2,074 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1776 | 2,080 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1777 | 2,086 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1778 | 2,093 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1779 | 2,099 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1780 | 2,105 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1781 | 2,112 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1782 | 2,118 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1783 | 2,124 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1784 | 2,131 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1785 | 2,137 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1786 | 2,144 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1787 | 2,150 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1788 | 2,157 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1789 | 2,163 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1790 | 2,169 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1791 | 2,176 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1792 | 2,183 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1793 | 2,189 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1794 | 2,196 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1795 | 2,203 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1796 | 2,209 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1797 | 2,216 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1798 | 2,222 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1799 | 2,229 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1800 | 2,236 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1801 | 2,246 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1802 | 2,257 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1803 | 2,267 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1804 | 2,278 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1805 | 2,289 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1806 | 2,299 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1807 | 2,310 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1808 | 2,321 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1809 | 2,332 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1810 | 2,342 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1811 | 2,353 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1812 | 2,364 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1813 | 2,376 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1814 | 2,387 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1815 | 2,398 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1816 | 2,409 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1817 | 2,420 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1818 | 2,431 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1819 | 2,442 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1820 | 2,454 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1821 | 2,469 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1822 | 2,485 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1823 | 2,501 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1824 | 2,517 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1825 | 2,533 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1826 | 2,548 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1827 | 2,564 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1828 | 2,580 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1829 | 2,596 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1830 | 2,612 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1831 | 2,630 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1832 | 2,647 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1833 | 2,665 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1834 | 2,682 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1835 | 2,700 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1836 | 2,717 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 2,735 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 2,753 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 2,770 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 2,788 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1841 | 2,806 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1842 | 2,825 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1843 | 2,844 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1844 | 2,862 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1845 | 2,881 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 2,899 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 2,918 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 2,937 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1849 | 2,955 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1850 | 3,003 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1851 | 3,032 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1852 | 3,062 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1853 | 3,092 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1854 | 3,122 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1855 | 3,149 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1856 | 3,184 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 3,220 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 3,249 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 3,278 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1860 | 3,308 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1861 | 3,344 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1862 | 3,380 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1863 | 3,444 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1864 | 3,478 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1865 | 3,512 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1866 | 3,546 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1867 | 3,580 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1868 | 3,615 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1869 | 3,664 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1870 | 3,714 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1871 | 3,792 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1872 | 3,870 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1873 | 3,949 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1874 | 4,028 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1875 | 4,107 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1876 | 4,193 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1877 | 4,280 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1878 | 4,367 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1879 | 4,454 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1880 | 4,542 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1881 | 4,662 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1882 | 4,783 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1883 | 4,905 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1884 | 5,027 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1885 | 5,150 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1886 | 5,283 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1887 | 5,416 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1888 | 5,553 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1889 | 5,690 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1890 | 5,829 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1891 | 7,356 tonnes | +26.2% |
| 1892 | 7,676 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1893 | 7,717 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1894 | 7,904 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1895 | 7,959 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1896 | 8,409 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1897 | 8,928 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1898 | 9,286 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1899 | 9,568 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1900 | 10,445 tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1901 | 11,694 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1902 | 12,432 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1903 | 13,262 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1904 | 14,252 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1905 | 14,940 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1906 | 16,452 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1907 | 19,102 tonnes | +16.1% |
| 1908 | 30,095 tonnes | +57.5% |
| 1909 | 27,530 tonnes | -8.5% |
| 1910 | 31,073 tonnes | +12.9% |
| 1911 | 64,230 tonnes | +106.7% |
| 1912 | 67,877 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1913 | 71,748 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1914 | 75,143 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1915 | 79,083 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1916 | 84,252 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1917 | 89,945 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1918 | 95,313 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1919 | 101,305 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1920 | 109,370 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1921 | 115,485 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1922 | 120,089 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1923 | 123,978 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1924 | 128,688 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1925 | 132,958 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1926 | 137,285 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1927 | 141,549 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1928 | 146,204 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1929 | 151,323 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1930 | 156,447 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1931 | 161,180 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1932 | 166,097 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1933 | 171,070 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1934 | 176,148 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1935 | 181,167 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1936 | 186,013 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1937 | 190,818 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1938 | 195,087 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1939 | 199,786 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1940 | 204,682 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1941 | 201,073 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1942 | 171,288 tonnes | -14.8% |
| 1943 | 172,811 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1944 | 184,901 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1945 | 206,928 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1946 | 227,734 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1947 | 253,151 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1948 | 258,799 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1949 | 241,964 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1950 | 234,885 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1951 | 260,444 tonnes | +10.9% |
| 1952 | 271,845 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1953 | 264,530 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1954 | 259,086 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1955 | 273,881 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1956 | 290,898 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1957 | 330,286 tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1958 | 346,391 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1959 | 361,117 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1960 | 386,022 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1961 | 403,862 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1962 | 392,054 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1963 | 393,600 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1964 | 423,224 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1965 | 434,046 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1966 | 451,531 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 495,572 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1968 | 511,233 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1969 | 557,348 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1970 | 601,338 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1971 | 633,204 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1972 | 709,860 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1973 | 772,118 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1974 | 845,587 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1975 | 902,818 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1976 | 980,457 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1977 | 1.05 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1978 | 1.14 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1979 | 1.25 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1980 | 1.39 million tonnes | +11.3% |
| 1981 | 1.52 million tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 1.55 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1983 | 1.45 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1984 | 1.52 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1985 | 1.55 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 1.57 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1987 | 1.62 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1988 | 1.63 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 1.75 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1990 | 1.73 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1991 | 1.84 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1992 | 1.82 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1993 | 1.84 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1994 | 1.98 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1995 | 1.81 million tonnes | -8.7% |
| 1996 | 1.84 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1997 | 1.92 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1998 | 2.00 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1999 | 2.00 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 2.09 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2001 | 2.05 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2002 | 2.01 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 2003 | 2.10 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 2004 | 2.10 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 2.16 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 2.20 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 2.20 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 2.22 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 2.08 million tonnes | -6.4% |
| 2010 | 2.11 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 2.16 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 2.09 million tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 2.03 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 2014 | 1.92 million tonnes | -5.3% |
| 2015 | 1.87 million tonnes | -2.4% |
| 2016 | 1.88 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 1.82 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 1.66 million tonnes | -8.7% |
| 2019 | 1.68 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 1.20 million tonnes | -28.6% |
| 2021 | 1.19 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 1.23 million tonnes | +2.9% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 1.23 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 104,784 tonnes, 11.7× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 1.23 million tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 54,155 tonnes, 22.7× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | +106.7% | 31,073 tonnes | 64,230 tonnes |
| 1908 | +57.5% | 19,102 tonnes | 30,095 tonnes |
| 2020 | -28.6% | 1.68 million tonnes | 1.20 million tonnes |
| 1891 | +26.2% | 5,829 tonnes | 7,356 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 1,948 tonnes | 1,922 tonnes | 1,975 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 2,009 tonnes | 1,981 tonnes | 2,036 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 2,071 tonnes | 2,042 tonnes | 2,099 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 2,134 tonnes | 2,105 tonnes | 2,163 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 2,199 tonnes | 2,169 tonnes | 2,229 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 2,283 tonnes | 2,236 tonnes | 2,332 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 2,392 tonnes | 2,342 tonnes | 2,442 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 2,525 tonnes | 2,454 tonnes | 2,596 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 2,691 tonnes | 2,612 tonnes | 2,770 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 2,871 tonnes | 2,788 tonnes | 2,955 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 3,139 tonnes | 3,003 tonnes | 3,278 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 3,487 tonnes | 3,308 tonnes | 3,664 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 4,075 tonnes | 3,714 tonnes | 4,454 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 5,101 tonnes | 4,542 tonnes | 5,690 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 8,063 tonnes | 5,829 tonnes | 9,568 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 17,020 tonnes | 10,445 tonnes | 30,095 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 75,997 tonnes | 31,073 tonnes | 101,305 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 130,693 tonnes | 109,370 tonnes | 151,323 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 178,381 tonnes | 156,447 tonnes | 199,786 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 212,333 tonnes | 171,288 tonnes | 258,799 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 289,336 tonnes | 234,885 tonnes | 361,117 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 444,849 tonnes | 386,022 tonnes | 557,348 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 888,594 tonnes | 601,338 tonnes | 1.25 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.56 million tonnes | 1.39 million tonnes | 1.75 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.88 million tonnes | 1.73 million tonnes | 2.00 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.12 million tonnes | 2.01 million tonnes | 2.22 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.92 million tonnes | 1.66 million tonnes | 2.16 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.21 million tonnes | 1.19 million tonnes | 1.23 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More environment data for Mexico
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.6859 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.6189 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.234 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.62 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.1645 % 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 -0.5194 % 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 Mexico?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Mexico was 1.23 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 Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 2.22 million tonnes in 2008.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,922 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Mexico rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Mexico ranks 17th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mexico 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.