Emissions of air pollutants in Spain
Spain: Emissions of air pollutants was 1.15 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.15 million tonnes
Change on year
up 1.7%
World rank
20th
of 220 countries
All-time high
2.11 million tonnes
in 2005
All-time low
2,071 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Spain, 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 Spain stood at 1.15 million tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.7% on the previous year and down 26.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Spain peaked at 2.11 million tonnes in 2005 and was at its lowest, 2,071 tonnes, in 1750.
Spain ranks 20th 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 Spain, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 2,071 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 2,076 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 2,081 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 2,086 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 2,091 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 2,095 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 2,100 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 2,105 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 2,110 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 2,115 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 2,120 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 2,125 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 2,129 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 2,134 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 2,139 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 2,144 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 2,149 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 2,154 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 2,159 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 2,164 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 2,169 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 2,174 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 2,179 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 2,184 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 2,189 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 2,194 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 2,200 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 2,205 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 2,210 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 2,215 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 2,220 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 2,225 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 2,230 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 2,235 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 2,240 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 2,246 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 2,251 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 2,256 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 2,261 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 2,266 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 2,272 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 2,277 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 2,282 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 2,287 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 2,293 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 2,298 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 2,303 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 2,309 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 2,314 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 2,319 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 2,324 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 2,333 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 2,342 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 2,350 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 2,359 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 2,368 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 2,376 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 2,385 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 2,394 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 2,402 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 2,411 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 2,420 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1812 | 2,429 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1813 | 2,438 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1814 | 2,447 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1815 | 2,456 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1816 | 2,465 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1817 | 2,474 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1818 | 2,483 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 2,492 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1820 | 2,501 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1821 | 2,520 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1822 | 2,540 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1823 | 2,559 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1824 | 2,579 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1825 | 2,598 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1826 | 2,618 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1827 | 2,638 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1828 | 2,657 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1829 | 2,677 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1830 | 2,705 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1831 | 2,707 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1832 | 2,709 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1833 | 2,711 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1834 | 2,713 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1835 | 2,715 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 2,756 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1837 | 2,789 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1838 | 2,768 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1839 | 2,817 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1840 | 2,795 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1841 | 2,964 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1842 | 3,078 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1843 | 3,168 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1844 | 3,258 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1845 | 3,443 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1846 | 3,486 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1847 | 3,467 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1848 | 3,565 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1849 | 3,664 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1850 | 3,986 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1851 | 4,054 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1852 | 4,143 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1853 | 4,408 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1854 | 4,237 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 1855 | 4,275 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1856 | 4,740 tonnes | +10.9% |
| 1857 | 5,008 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1858 | 5,666 tonnes | +13.1% |
| 1859 | 6,674 tonnes | +17.8% |
| 1860 | 7,398 tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1861 | 7,496 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1862 | 7,781 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1863 | 8,140 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1864 | 7,868 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1865 | 7,722 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1866 | 7,733 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1867 | 8,240 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1868 | 8,472 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1869 | 8,532 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1870 | 9,385 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1871 | 9,223 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1872 | 9,934 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1873 | 9,787 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1874 | 9,901 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1875 | 10,347 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1876 | 10,772 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1877 | 11,217 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1878 | 11,145 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1879 | 11,780 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1880 | 12,992 tonnes | +10.3% |
| 1881 | 14,542 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1882 | 14,936 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1883 | 15,999 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1884 | 16,021 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1885 | 16,253 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1886 | 16,517 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1887 | 16,586 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1888 | 17,594 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1889 | 17,613 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1890 | 19,076 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1891 | 20,286 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1892 | 20,407 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1893 | 20,409 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 21,152 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1895 | 20,858 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1896 | 21,973 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1897 | 22,364 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1898 | 22,042 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1899 | 23,991 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1900 | 25,592 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1901 | 26,881 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1902 | 28,101 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1903 | 28,216 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1904 | 29,925 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1905 | 31,397 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1906 | 33,180 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1907 | 33,104 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1908 | 35,023 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1909 | 36,626 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1910 | 36,198 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1911 | 36,199 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 38,695 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1913 | 41,814 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1914 | 42,928 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1915 | 39,589 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1916 | 45,014 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1917 | 41,106 tonnes | -8.7% |
| 1918 | 43,055 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1919 | 43,734 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1920 | 42,238 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1921 | 43,526 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1922 | 43,881 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1923 | 49,765 tonnes | +13.4% |
| 1924 | 54,601 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1925 | 57,046 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1926 | 57,027 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1927 | 66,613 tonnes | +16.8% |
| 1928 | 68,432 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1929 | 75,929 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1930 | 80,164 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1931 | 82,317 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1932 | 79,964 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1933 | 72,734 tonnes | -9.0% |
| 1934 | 85,221 tonnes | +17.2% |
| 1935 | 89,133 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1936 | 30,612 tonnes | -65.7% |
| 1937 | 25,038 tonnes | -18.2% |
| 1938 | 43,438 tonnes | +73.5% |
| 1939 | 48,666 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1940 | 61,709 tonnes | +26.8% |
| 1941 | 62,273 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1942 | 66,080 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1943 | 68,327 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1944 | 72,984 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1945 | 97,428 tonnes | +33.5% |
| 1946 | 94,834 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1947 | 140,674 tonnes | +48.3% |
| 1948 | 149,142 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1949 | 170,359 tonnes | +14.2% |
| 1950 | 150,929 tonnes | -11.4% |
| 1951 | 156,190 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1952 | 190,255 tonnes | +21.8% |
| 1953 | 200,271 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1954 | 213,422 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1955 | 228,946 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1956 | 262,547 tonnes | +14.7% |
| 1957 | 338,081 tonnes | +28.8% |
| 1958 | 391,861 tonnes | +15.9% |
| 1959 | 377,609 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1960 | 396,702 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1961 | 483,363 tonnes | +21.8% |
| 1962 | 549,536 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1963 | 512,474 tonnes | -6.7% |
| 1964 | 496,550 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1965 | 560,069 tonnes | +12.8% |
| 1966 | 650,473 tonnes | +16.1% |
| 1967 | 781,129 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1968 | 860,559 tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1969 | 811,339 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1970 | 874,843 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1971 | 915,100 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1972 | 978,583 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1973 | 1.04 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1974 | 1.10 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1975 | 1.10 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1976 | 1.19 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1977 | 1.14 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1978 | 1.20 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1979 | 1.44 million tonnes | +19.5% |
| 1980 | 1.43 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1981 | 1.34 million tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1982 | 1.33 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1983 | 1.40 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1984 | 1.38 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1985 | 1.38 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1986 | 1.50 million tonnes | +8.7% |
| 1987 | 1.57 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 1.57 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1989 | 1.60 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1990 | 1.67 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1991 | 1.74 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1992 | 1.77 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 1.69 million tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1994 | 1.67 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 1.69 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1996 | 1.81 million tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1997 | 1.92 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1998 | 1.98 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1999 | 1.96 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 1.99 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2001 | 2.01 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 2.04 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 2.04 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 2.07 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 2.11 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2006 | 2.09 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 2.10 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 1.91 million tonnes | -8.8% |
| 2009 | 1.75 million tonnes | -8.7% |
| 2010 | 1.64 million tonnes | -6.0% |
| 2011 | 1.64 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 1.58 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 2013 | 1.36 million tonnes | -13.7% |
| 2014 | 1.39 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 1.38 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 1.36 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2017 | 1.32 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 1.31 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 1.28 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2020 | 1.03 million tonnes | -19.1% |
| 2021 | 1.14 million tonnes | +9.8% |
| 2022 | 1.15 million tonnes | +1.7% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 1.15 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 12.8× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Spain's 1.15 million tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 11.3× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Spain 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | +73.5% | 25,038 tonnes | 43,438 tonnes |
| 1936 | -65.7% | 89,133 tonnes | 30,612 tonnes |
| 1947 | +48.3% | 94,834 tonnes | 140,674 tonnes |
| 1945 | +33.5% | 72,984 tonnes | 97,428 tonnes |
| 1957 | +28.8% | 262,547 tonnes | 338,081 tonnes |
| 1940 | +26.8% | 48,666 tonnes | 61,709 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 2,093 tonnes | 2,071 tonnes | 2,115 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 2,142 tonnes | 2,120 tonnes | 2,164 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 2,192 tonnes | 2,169 tonnes | 2,215 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 2,243 tonnes | 2,220 tonnes | 2,266 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 2,295 tonnes | 2,272 tonnes | 2,319 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 2,363 tonnes | 2,324 tonnes | 2,402 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 2,451 tonnes | 2,411 tonnes | 2,492 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 2,589 tonnes | 2,501 tonnes | 2,677 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 2,739 tonnes | 2,705 tonnes | 2,817 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 3,289 tonnes | 2,795 tonnes | 3,664 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 4,719 tonnes | 3,986 tonnes | 6,674 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 7,938 tonnes | 7,398 tonnes | 8,532 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 10,349 tonnes | 9,223 tonnes | 11,780 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 15,905 tonnes | 12,992 tonnes | 17,613 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 21,256 tonnes | 19,076 tonnes | 23,991 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 30,804 tonnes | 25,592 tonnes | 36,626 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 40,833 tonnes | 36,198 tonnes | 45,014 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 55,906 tonnes | 42,238 tonnes | 75,929 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 63,729 tonnes | 25,038 tonnes | 89,133 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 98,381 tonnes | 61,709 tonnes | 170,359 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 251,011 tonnes | 150,929 tonnes | 391,861 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 610,219 tonnes | 396,702 tonnes | 860,559 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.10 million tonnes | 874,843 tonnes | 1.44 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.45 million tonnes | 1.33 million tonnes | 1.60 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.79 million tonnes | 1.67 million tonnes | 1.98 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.01 million tonnes | 1.75 million tonnes | 2.11 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.43 million tonnes | 1.28 million tonnes | 1.64 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.11 million tonnes | 1.03 million tonnes | 1.15 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More environment data for Spain
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -1.67 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -1.4 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.402 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.3 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -0.4277 % 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 -0.5136 % 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 Spain?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Spain was 1.15 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 2.11 million tonnes in 2005.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,071 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Spain rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Spain ranks 20th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain 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.