Emissions of air pollutants in Rwanda
Rwanda: Emissions of air pollutants was 19,507 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
19,507 tonnes
Change on year
up 3.8%
World rank
164th
of 220 countries
All-time high
19,507 tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
46.18 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Rwanda, 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 Rwanda is 19,507 tonnes, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
The figure is up 3.8% on the previous year and up 25.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Rwanda peaked at 19,507 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 46.18 tonnes, in 1750.
Rwanda ranks 164th 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 Rwanda, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 46.18 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 46.2 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 46.21 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 46.23 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 46.24 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 46.26 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 46.27 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 46.29 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 46.3 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 46.32 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 46.33 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 46.35 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 46.36 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 46.38 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 46.39 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 46.41 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 46.42 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 46.44 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 46.45 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 46.47 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 46.48 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 46.5 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 46.51 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 46.53 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 46.54 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 46.55 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 46.57 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 46.58 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 46.6 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 46.61 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 46.63 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 46.64 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 46.66 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 46.67 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 46.69 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 46.7 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 46.72 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 46.73 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 46.75 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 46.76 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 46.78 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 46.79 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 46.81 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 46.82 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 46.84 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 46.85 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 46.87 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 46.88 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 46.9 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 46.91 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 46.93 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 47.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 47.15 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 47.26 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 47.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 47.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 47.6 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 47.71 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1808 | 47.82 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1809 | 47.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1810 | 48.05 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1811 | 48.19 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1812 | 48.32 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1813 | 48.46 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1814 | 48.6 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1815 | 48.74 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1816 | 48.87 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1817 | 49.01 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1818 | 49.15 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1819 | 49.29 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1820 | 49.43 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1821 | 49.56 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1822 | 49.7 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1823 | 49.84 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1824 | 49.98 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1825 | 50.12 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1826 | 50.26 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1827 | 50.4 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1828 | 50.54 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1829 | 50.68 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1830 | 50.82 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1831 | 50.96 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1832 | 51.1 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1833 | 51.24 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1834 | 51.38 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1835 | 51.53 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1836 | 51.67 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1837 | 51.81 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1838 | 51.95 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1839 | 52.09 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1840 | 52.23 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1841 | 52.38 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1842 | 52.52 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1843 | 52.66 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1844 | 52.81 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1845 | 52.95 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1846 | 53.09 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1847 | 53.24 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1848 | 53.38 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1849 | 53.52 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1850 | 53.67 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1851 | 54.24 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1852 | 54.81 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1853 | 55.39 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1854 | 55.98 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1855 | 56.57 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1856 | 57.16 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 57.77 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 58.38 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1859 | 59 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1860 | 59.62 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1861 | 60.44 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1862 | 61.27 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1863 | 62.1 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1864 | 62.94 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1865 | 63.78 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1866 | 64.64 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1867 | 65.5 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1868 | 66.37 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1869 | 67.24 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1870 | 68.12 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1871 | 69.49 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1872 | 70.38 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1873 | 71.29 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1874 | 72.2 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1875 | 73.12 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1876 | 74.05 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1877 | 74.98 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1878 | 75.93 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1879 | 76.88 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1880 | 77.83 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1881 | 78.8 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1882 | 79.77 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1883 | 80.76 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1884 | 81.75 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1885 | 82.74 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1886 | 83.75 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1887 | 84.77 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1888 | 85.82 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1889 | 86.88 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1890 | 87.95 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1891 | 89.03 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1892 | 90.12 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1893 | 91.22 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1894 | 92.32 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1895 | 93.44 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1896 | 94.57 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1897 | 95.71 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1898 | 96.87 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1899 | 98.03 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1900 | 99.2 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1901 | 105.24 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1902 | 111.44 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1903 | 117.8 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1904 | 124.32 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1905 | 131.01 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1906 | 137.92 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1907 | 145 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1908 | 152.26 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1909 | 159.72 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1910 | 167.35 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1911 | 177.36 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1912 | 187.61 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1913 | 198.11 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1914 | 208.86 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1915 | 219.87 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1916 | 231.16 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1917 | 242.71 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1918 | 254.61 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1919 | 266.8 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1920 | 279.29 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1921 | 299.03 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1922 | 320.08 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1923 | 342.26 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1924 | 365.62 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1925 | 393.62 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1926 | 422.07 tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1927 | 450.74 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1928 | 482.34 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1929 | 515.08 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1930 | 548.78 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1931 | 587.85 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1932 | 628.24 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1933 | 670.6 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1934 | 715.04 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1935 | 761.97 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1936 | 813.49 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1937 | 867.21 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1938 | 923.47 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1939 | 981.84 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1940 | 1,043 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1941 | 1,113 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1942 | 1,187 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1943 | 1,264 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1944 | 1,346 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1945 | 1,432 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1946 | 1,525 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1947 | 1,622 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1948 | 1,724 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1949 | 1,833 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1950 | 2,104 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1951 | 2,221 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1952 | 2,470 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1953 | 2,568 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1954 | 2,549 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1955 | 2,708 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1956 | 2,878 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1957 | 3,059 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1958 | 3,228 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1959 | 3,788 tonnes | +17.3% |
| 1960 | 3,946 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1961 | 4,179 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1962 | 4,256 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1963 | 4,339 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1964 | 4,120 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1965 | 4,415 tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1966 | 4,630 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1967 | 4,864 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1968 | 5,155 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1969 | 5,427 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1970 | 5,733 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1971 | 6,045 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1972 | 6,364 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1973 | 6,653 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1974 | 6,927 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1975 | 7,449 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1976 | 7,896 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1977 | 8,257 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1978 | 8,615 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1979 | 7,781 tonnes | -9.7% |
| 1980 | 9,638 tonnes | +23.9% |
| 1981 | 10,560 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 10,887 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1983 | 11,544 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1984 | 11,727 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 12,075 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1986 | 12,177 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1987 | 12,387 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1988 | 13,045 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1989 | 13,813 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1990 | 10,728 tonnes | -22.3% |
| 1991 | 10,378 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1992 | 10,121 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1993 | 9,462 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1994 | 9,817 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1995 | 9,077 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1996 | 9,308 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1997 | 10,172 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1998 | 10,290 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1999 | 10,883 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 2000 | 10,614 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2001 | 10,804 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2002 | 11,087 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 11,125 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 11,419 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 11,799 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2006 | 12,329 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2007 | 12,469 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 12,905 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2009 | 13,302 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 13,556 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 15,047 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 2012 | 15,523 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 15,706 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 15,735 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 16,850 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2016 | 16,515 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 17,676 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 2018 | 17,905 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 18,445 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 17,172 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 2021 | 18,797 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 2022 | 19,507 tonnes | +3.8% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 19,507 tonnes is below the median for low income countries, which is 44,196 tonnes, 44% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 19,507 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 44,992 tonnes, 43% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 46.25 tonnes | 46.18 tonnes | 46.32 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 46.4 tonnes | 46.33 tonnes | 46.47 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 46.55 tonnes | 46.48 tonnes | 46.61 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 46.7 tonnes | 46.63 tonnes | 46.76 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 46.85 tonnes | 46.78 tonnes | 46.91 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 47.43 tonnes | 46.93 tonnes | 47.94 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 48.67 tonnes | 48.05 tonnes | 49.29 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 50.05 tonnes | 49.43 tonnes | 50.68 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 51.46 tonnes | 50.82 tonnes | 52.09 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 52.88 tonnes | 52.23 tonnes | 53.52 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 56.3 tonnes | 53.67 tonnes | 59 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 63.39 tonnes | 59.62 tonnes | 67.24 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 72.64 tonnes | 68.12 tonnes | 76.88 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 82.29 tonnes | 77.83 tonnes | 86.88 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 92.93 tonnes | 87.95 tonnes | 98.03 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 128.39 tonnes | 99.2 tonnes | 159.72 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 215.44 tonnes | 167.35 tonnes | 266.8 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 387.01 tonnes | 279.29 tonnes | 515.08 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 749.85 tonnes | 548.78 tonnes | 981.84 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 1,409 tonnes | 1,043 tonnes | 1,833 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 2,757 tonnes | 2,104 tonnes | 3,788 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 4,533 tonnes | 3,946 tonnes | 5,427 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 7,172 tonnes | 5,733 tonnes | 8,615 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 11,785 tonnes | 9,638 tonnes | 13,813 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 10,024 tonnes | 9,077 tonnes | 10,883 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 11,785 tonnes | 10,614 tonnes | 13,302 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 16,296 tonnes | 13,556 tonnes | 18,445 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 18,492 tonnes | 17,172 tonnes | 19,507 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More environment data for Rwanda
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -5.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -5.05 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate -31.63 % change on previous year (2013)
- Standard Deviation 0.268 °C (2013)
- Temperature change 1.35 °C (2013)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.0359 % 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 -1.42 % 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 Rwanda?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Rwanda was 19,507 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 19,507 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 46.18 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Rwanda rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Rwanda ranks 164th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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.