Emissions of air pollutants in Pakistan
Pakistan: Emissions of air pollutants was 1.68 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.68 million tonnes
Change on year
down 1.1%
World rank
13th
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.70 million tonnes
in 2021
All-time low
1,511 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Pakistan, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, emissions of air pollutants in Pakistan stood at 1.68 million tonnes.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 27.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Pakistan peaked at 1.70 million tonnes in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1,511 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Pakistan 13th out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Pakistan, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1,511 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1,514 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 1,516 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 1,519 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 1,522 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 1,524 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 1,527 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 1,530 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 1,532 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 1,535 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 1,538 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 1,540 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 1,543 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 1,546 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 1,549 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 1,551 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 1,554 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 1,557 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 1,559 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 1,562 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 1,565 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 1,567 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 1,570 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 1,573 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 1,576 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 1,578 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 1,581 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 1,584 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 1,587 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 1,589 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 1,592 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 1,595 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 1,597 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 1,600 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 1,603 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 1,606 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 1,609 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 1,611 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 1,614 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 1,617 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 1,620 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 1,622 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 1,625 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 1,628 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 1,631 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 1,634 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 1,636 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 1,639 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 1,642 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 1,645 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 1,647 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 1,654 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 1,661 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 1,668 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 1,674 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 1,681 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 1,688 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 1,695 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 1,701 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 1,708 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 1,715 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 1,734 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1812 | 1,752 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1813 | 1,771 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1814 | 1,790 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1815 | 1,809 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1816 | 1,828 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1817 | 1,847 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1818 | 1,866 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1819 | 1,885 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1820 | 1,904 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1821 | 1,925 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1822 | 1,946 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1823 | 1,966 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1824 | 1,987 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1825 | 2,008 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1826 | 2,029 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1827 | 2,050 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1828 | 2,071 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1829 | 2,092 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1830 | 2,113 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1831 | 2,136 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1832 | 2,159 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1833 | 2,182 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1834 | 2,205 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1835 | 2,228 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1836 | 2,251 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1837 | 2,274 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1838 | 2,297 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1839 | 2,321 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1840 | 2,344 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1841 | 2,369 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1842 | 2,394 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1843 | 2,419 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1844 | 2,445 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1845 | 2,470 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1846 | 2,495 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1847 | 2,521 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1848 | 2,547 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1849 | 2,572 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1850 | 2,598 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1851 | 2,628 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1852 | 2,658 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1853 | 2,688 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1854 | 2,718 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1855 | 2,748 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1856 | 2,779 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 2,809 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 2,840 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1859 | 2,871 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1860 | 2,902 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1861 | 2,931 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1862 | 2,961 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1863 | 2,990 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1864 | 3,020 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1865 | 3,050 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1866 | 3,080 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1867 | 3,110 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1868 | 3,140 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1869 | 3,171 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1870 | 3,243 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1871 | 3,272 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1872 | 3,302 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1873 | 3,332 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1874 | 3,362 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1875 | 3,392 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1876 | 3,422 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1877 | 3,452 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1878 | 3,482 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1879 | 3,513 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1880 | 3,544 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1881 | 3,575 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1882 | 3,606 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1883 | 3,638 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1884 | 3,669 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1885 | 3,701 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1886 | 3,734 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1887 | 3,766 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1888 | 3,807 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1889 | 3,848 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1890 | 3,889 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 3,930 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1892 | 3,972 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1893 | 4,015 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1894 | 4,057 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1895 | 4,100 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1896 | 4,143 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1897 | 4,186 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1898 | 4,229 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1899 | 4,273 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1900 | 4,316 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1901 | 4,633 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1902 | 4,958 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1903 | 5,290 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1904 | 5,632 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1905 | 5,982 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1906 | 6,353 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1907 | 6,732 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1908 | 7,121 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1909 | 7,520 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1910 | 7,925 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1911 | 8,326 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1912 | 8,722 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1913 | 9,122 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1914 | 9,527 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1915 | 9,933 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1916 | 10,346 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1917 | 10,762 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1918 | 11,183 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1919 | 11,606 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1920 | 12,035 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1921 | 12,544 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1922 | 13,127 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1923 | 13,770 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1924 | 14,373 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1925 | 15,185 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1926 | 15,922 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1927 | 16,612 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1928 | 17,299 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1929 | 18,027 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1930 | 18,641 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1931 | 19,367 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1932 | 20,032 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1933 | 20,754 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1934 | 21,486 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1935 | 22,238 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1936 | 23,183 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1937 | 24,348 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1938 | 25,521 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1939 | 26,707 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1940 | 27,907 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1941 | 29,686 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1942 | 31,442 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1943 | 33,322 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1944 | 35,280 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1945 | 37,249 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1946 | 40,332 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1947 | 33,127 tonnes | -17.9% |
| 1948 | 35,066 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1949 | 38,628 tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1950 | 60,906 tonnes | +57.7% |
| 1951 | 66,909 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1952 | 71,448 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1953 | 77,192 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1954 | 83,047 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1955 | 88,414 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1956 | 95,155 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1957 | 101,045 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1958 | 110,904 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1959 | 116,184 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1960 | 126,194 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1961 | 134,392 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1962 | 139,970 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1963 | 161,525 tonnes | +15.4% |
| 1964 | 169,644 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1965 | 176,655 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1966 | 192,673 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1967 | 215,591 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1968 | 242,927 tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1969 | 245,950 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 256,707 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1971 | 265,245 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1972 | 270,878 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 282,745 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1974 | 293,116 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1975 | 300,423 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1976 | 307,031 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1977 | 323,864 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1978 | 347,744 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1979 | 378,904 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1980 | 395,597 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1981 | 397,914 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 417,254 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1983 | 428,442 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1984 | 443,787 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 482,924 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1986 | 526,684 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1987 | 536,256 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1988 | 565,991 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1989 | 587,746 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1990 | 597,727 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1991 | 603,778 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1992 | 652,149 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1993 | 693,788 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 719,319 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 766,494 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1996 | 791,738 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1997 | 817,460 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1998 | 822,631 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 909,352 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 2000 | 885,636 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2001 | 907,924 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2002 | 1.02 million tonnes | +12.2% |
| 2003 | 1.13 million tonnes | +10.8% |
| 2004 | 1.19 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 2005 | 1.22 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 1.25 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 1.27 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 1.30 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 1.35 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 2010 | 1.30 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 1.32 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 1.32 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 1.38 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 2014 | 1.43 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 1.46 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 1.55 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 2017 | 1.61 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 1.50 million tonnes | -7.1% |
| 2019 | 1.51 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 1.63 million tonnes | +8.1% |
| 2021 | 1.70 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 2022 | 1.68 million tonnes | -1.1% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 1.68 million tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 22.7× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 1.68 million tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 251,040 tonnes, 6.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Pakistan 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 | +57.7% | 38,628 tonnes | 60,906 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 1,523 tonnes | 1,511 tonnes | 1,535 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 1,550 tonnes | 1,538 tonnes | 1,562 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 1,577 tonnes | 1,565 tonnes | 1,589 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 1,604 tonnes | 1,592 tonnes | 1,617 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 1,632 tonnes | 1,620 tonnes | 1,645 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 1,678 tonnes | 1,647 tonnes | 1,708 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 1,800 tonnes | 1,715 tonnes | 1,885 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 1,998 tonnes | 1,904 tonnes | 2,092 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 2,217 tonnes | 2,113 tonnes | 2,321 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 2,458 tonnes | 2,344 tonnes | 2,572 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 2,734 tonnes | 2,598 tonnes | 2,871 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 3,035 tonnes | 2,902 tonnes | 3,171 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 3,377 tonnes | 3,243 tonnes | 3,513 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 3,689 tonnes | 3,544 tonnes | 3,848 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 4,079 tonnes | 3,889 tonnes | 4,273 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 5,854 tonnes | 4,316 tonnes | 7,520 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 9,745 tonnes | 7,925 tonnes | 11,606 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 14,889 tonnes | 12,035 tonnes | 18,027 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 22,228 tonnes | 18,641 tonnes | 26,707 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 34,204 tonnes | 27,907 tonnes | 40,332 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 87,120 tonnes | 60,906 tonnes | 116,184 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 180,552 tonnes | 126,194 tonnes | 245,950 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 302,666 tonnes | 256,707 tonnes | 378,904 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 478,260 tonnes | 395,597 tonnes | 587,746 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 737,444 tonnes | 597,727 tonnes | 909,352 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.15 million tonnes | 885,636 tonnes | 1.35 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.44 million tonnes | 1.30 million tonnes | 1.61 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.67 million tonnes | 1.63 million tonnes | 1.70 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
- 10 United Arab Emirates 2.06 million tonnes compare
- 11 South Africa 1.86 million tonnes compare
- 12 Iran 1.74 million tonnes compare
- 14 South Korea 1.63 million tonnes compare
- 15 Canada 1.41 million tonnes compare
- 16 Thailand 1.24 million tonnes compare
More environment data for Pakistan
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -10.53 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.373 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.58 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.7034 % 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 3.1 % 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 Pakistan?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Pakistan was 1.68 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 1.70 million tonnes in 2021.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,511 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Pakistan rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Pakistan ranks 13th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.