Emissions of air pollutants in Nepal
Nepal: Emissions of air pollutants was 226,904 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
226,904 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.2%
World rank
61st
of 220 countries
All-time high
226,904 tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
547.89 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Nepal, 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 Nepal is 226,904 tonnes, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 53.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Nepal peaked at 226,904 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 547.89 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Nepal 61st out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Nepal, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 547.89 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 548.9 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 549.91 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 550.91 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 551.92 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 552.93 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 553.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 554.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 555.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 556.96 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 557.97 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 558.99 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 560.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 561.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 562.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 563.09 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 564.12 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 565.14 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 566.16 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 567.19 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 568.21 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 569.26 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 570.3 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 571.34 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 572.39 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 573.43 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 574.47 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 575.51 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 576.56 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 577.6 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 578.64 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 579.7 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 580.77 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 581.83 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 582.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 583.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 585.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 586.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 587.13 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 588.19 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 589.25 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 590.33 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 591.41 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 592.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 593.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 594.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 595.73 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 596.81 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 597.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 598.97 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 600.05 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 602.41 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 604.77 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 607.13 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 609.5 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 611.88 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 614.25 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 616.62 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 619 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 621.4 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 623.79 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 626.22 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1812 | 628.64 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1813 | 631.08 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1814 | 633.51 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1815 | 635.95 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1816 | 638.37 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1817 | 640.82 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1818 | 643.28 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 645.74 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1820 | 648.2 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1821 | 651.66 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1822 | 655.13 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1823 | 658.6 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1824 | 662.09 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1825 | 665.58 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1826 | 669.06 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1827 | 672.57 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1828 | 676.09 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1829 | 679.62 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1830 | 683.15 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1831 | 687.33 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1832 | 691.52 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1833 | 695.72 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1834 | 699.94 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 704.16 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1836 | 708.37 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 712.62 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 716.88 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 721.14 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 725.42 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1841 | 729.83 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1842 | 734.25 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1843 | 738.68 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1844 | 743.13 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1845 | 747.56 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 752.03 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 756.51 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 761 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1849 | 765.5 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1850 | 770.04 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1851 | 774.44 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1852 | 778.85 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1853 | 783.27 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1854 | 787.71 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1855 | 792.14 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1856 | 796.63 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1857 | 801.14 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1858 | 805.66 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1859 | 810.2 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1860 | 814.75 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1861 | 821.5 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1862 | 828.26 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1863 | 835.07 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1864 | 841.92 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1865 | 848.77 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1866 | 855.71 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1867 | 862.67 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1868 | 869.64 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1869 | 876.67 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1870 | 883.74 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1871 | 892.23 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1872 | 900.74 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1873 | 909.32 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1874 | 917.95 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1875 | 926.59 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1876 | 935.29 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1877 | 944.04 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1878 | 952.8 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1879 | 961.64 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1880 | 970.52 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1881 | 979.47 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1882 | 988.5 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1883 | 997.58 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1884 | 1,007 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1885 | 1,016 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1886 | 1,025 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1887 | 1,034 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1888 | 1,045 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1889 | 1,055 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1890 | 1,066 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1891 | 1,073 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1892 | 1,081 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1893 | 1,088 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1894 | 1,096 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1895 | 1,103 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1896 | 1,111 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1897 | 1,119 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1898 | 1,126 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1899 | 1,134 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1900 | 1,142 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1901 | 1,244 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1902 | 1,347 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1903 | 1,451 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1904 | 1,556 tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1905 | 1,662 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1906 | 1,771 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1907 | 1,881 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1908 | 1,992 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1909 | 2,103 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1910 | 2,216 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1911 | 2,342 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1912 | 2,468 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1913 | 2,596 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1914 | 2,737 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1915 | 2,882 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1916 | 3,029 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1917 | 3,180 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1918 | 3,333 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1919 | 3,490 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1920 | 3,650 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1921 | 3,836 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1922 | 4,033 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1923 | 4,242 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1924 | 4,451 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1925 | 4,712 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1926 | 4,961 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1927 | 5,201 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1928 | 5,443 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1929 | 5,692 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1930 | 5,928 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1931 | 6,180 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1932 | 6,425 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1933 | 6,681 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1934 | 6,944 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1935 | 7,215 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1936 | 7,525 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1937 | 7,841 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1938 | 8,162 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1939 | 8,487 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1940 | 8,818 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1941 | 9,164 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1942 | 9,506 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1943 | 9,867 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1944 | 10,242 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1945 | 10,622 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1946 | 11,033 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1947 | 11,462 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1948 | 11,895 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1949 | 12,360 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1950 | 13,130 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1951 | 13,728 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1952 | 14,278 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1953 | 14,916 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1954 | 15,510 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1955 | 16,099 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1956 | 16,697 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1957 | 17,354 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1958 | 18,003 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1959 | 18,706 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1960 | 19,470 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1961 | 20,144 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1962 | 20,708 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1963 | 21,342 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1964 | 22,499 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1965 | 23,268 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1966 | 24,523 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1967 | 26,624 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1968 | 28,706 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1969 | 32,195 tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1970 | 38,017 tonnes | +18.1% |
| 1971 | 38,453 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1972 | 39,105 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1973 | 40,541 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1974 | 41,373 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1975 | 42,416 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1976 | 43,659 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1977 | 45,124 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1978 | 46,264 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1979 | 47,695 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1980 | 50,540 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1981 | 51,294 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1982 | 52,477 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1983 | 55,730 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1984 | 57,795 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1985 | 58,259 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1986 | 59,738 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1987 | 62,105 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1988 | 63,674 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1989 | 66,126 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 69,569 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1991 | 72,185 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1992 | 73,368 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 75,529 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1994 | 79,975 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1995 | 83,898 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1996 | 86,071 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1997 | 89,452 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1998 | 92,969 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1999 | 92,272 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 2000 | 94,966 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 95,784 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 97,799 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2003 | 100,184 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 2004 | 105,968 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 2005 | 101,729 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 2006 | 104,816 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 105,377 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2008 | 109,192 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 116,900 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2010 | 121,588 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 126,258 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 148,075 tonnes | +17.3% |
| 2013 | 166,016 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 2014 | 170,999 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 169,337 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 192,563 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 2017 | 209,008 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 2018 | 209,943 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 195,652 tonnes | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 219,987 tonnes | +12.4% |
| 2021 | 226,357 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 226,904 tonnes | +0.2% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 226,904 tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 3.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Nepal's 226,904 tonnes is below the median for South Asia, which is 270,525 tonnes, 84% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 552.43 tonnes | 547.89 tonnes | 556.96 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 562.58 tonnes | 557.97 tonnes | 567.19 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 572.91 tonnes | 568.21 tonnes | 577.6 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 583.42 tonnes | 578.64 tonnes | 588.19 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 594.11 tonnes | 589.25 tonnes | 598.97 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 610.7 tonnes | 600.05 tonnes | 621.4 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 634.74 tonnes | 623.79 tonnes | 645.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 663.86 tonnes | 648.2 tonnes | 679.62 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 702.08 tonnes | 683.15 tonnes | 721.14 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 745.39 tonnes | 725.42 tonnes | 765.5 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 790.01 tonnes | 770.04 tonnes | 810.2 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 845.5 tonnes | 814.75 tonnes | 876.67 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 922.43 tonnes | 883.74 tonnes | 961.64 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 1,012 tonnes | 970.52 tonnes | 1,055 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 1,100 tonnes | 1,066 tonnes | 1,134 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 1,615 tonnes | 1,142 tonnes | 2,103 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 2,827 tonnes | 2,216 tonnes | 3,490 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 4,622 tonnes | 3,650 tonnes | 5,692 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 7,139 tonnes | 5,928 tonnes | 8,487 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 10,497 tonnes | 8,818 tonnes | 12,360 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 15,842 tonnes | 13,130 tonnes | 18,706 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 23,948 tonnes | 19,470 tonnes | 32,195 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 42,265 tonnes | 38,017 tonnes | 47,695 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 57,774 tonnes | 50,540 tonnes | 66,126 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 81,529 tonnes | 69,569 tonnes | 92,969 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 103,271 tonnes | 94,966 tonnes | 116,900 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 170,944 tonnes | 121,588 tonnes | 209,943 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 224,416 tonnes | 219,987 tonnes | 226,904 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More environment data for Nepal
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.73 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 2.41 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.265 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.43 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.54 % 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 -6.53 % 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 Nepal?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Nepal was 226,904 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 Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 226,904 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 547.89 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Nepal rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Nepal ranks 61st out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal 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.