Emissions of air pollutants in Switzerland
Switzerland: Emissions of air pollutants was 64,647 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
64,647 tonnes
Change on year
up 3.9%
World rank
113th
of 220 countries
All-time high
256,833 tonnes
in 1973
All-time low
698.5 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Switzerland, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 64,647 tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.9% on the previous year and down 37.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Switzerland peaked at 256,833 tonnes in 1973 and was at its lowest, 698.5 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Switzerland 113th 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 Switzerland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 698.5 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 700.48 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1752 | 702.46 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1753 | 704.43 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1754 | 706.41 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1755 | 708.38 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1756 | 710.35 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1757 | 712.32 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1758 | 714.29 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1759 | 716.25 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1760 | 718.21 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1761 | 720.25 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1762 | 722.28 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1763 | 724.31 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1764 | 726.34 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1765 | 728.36 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1766 | 730.39 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1767 | 732.41 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1768 | 734.43 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1769 | 736.45 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1770 | 738.47 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1771 | 740.56 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1772 | 742.65 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1773 | 744.73 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1774 | 746.82 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1775 | 748.9 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1776 | 750.98 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1777 | 753.06 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1778 | 755.13 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1779 | 757.21 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1780 | 759.28 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1781 | 761.43 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1782 | 763.58 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1783 | 765.72 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1784 | 767.86 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1785 | 770 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1786 | 772.14 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1787 | 774.27 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1788 | 776.41 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1789 | 778.54 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1790 | 780.67 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1791 | 782.88 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1792 | 785.08 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1793 | 787.28 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1794 | 789.49 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1795 | 791.68 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1796 | 793.88 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1797 | 796.08 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1798 | 798.27 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1799 | 800.46 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1800 | 802.65 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1801 | 805.63 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 808.62 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 811.6 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 814.59 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 817.58 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 820.58 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 823.57 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 826.57 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 829.57 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 832.57 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 842.55 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1812 | 852.54 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1813 | 862.54 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1814 | 872.54 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1815 | 882.56 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1816 | 892.57 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1817 | 902.61 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1818 | 912.65 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1819 | 922.71 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1820 | 932.77 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1821 | 941.12 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1822 | 949.48 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1823 | 957.85 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1824 | 966.22 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1825 | 974.6 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1826 | 982.98 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1827 | 991.37 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1828 | 999.78 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1829 | 1,008 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1830 | 1,017 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1831 | 1,025 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1832 | 1,034 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1833 | 1,042 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1834 | 1,051 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1835 | 1,059 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1836 | 1,068 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1837 | 1,076 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1838 | 1,085 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1839 | 1,094 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1840 | 1,102 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1841 | 1,111 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1842 | 1,120 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1843 | 1,129 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1844 | 1,138 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1845 | 1,147 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1846 | 1,156 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1847 | 1,165 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1848 | 1,174 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1849 | 1,183 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1850 | 1,186 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1851 | 1,197 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1852 | 1,207 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1853 | 1,217 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1854 | 1,227 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1855 | 1,237 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1856 | 1,252 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1857 | 1,268 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1858 | 1,495 tonnes | +17.9% |
| 1859 | 1,594 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1860 | 1,752 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1861 | 1,953 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1862 | 2,042 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1863 | 2,066 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1864 | 2,239 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1865 | 2,444 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1866 | 2,444 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 2,433 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1868 | 2,581 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1869 | 2,554 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1870 | 3,483 tonnes | +36.4% |
| 1871 | 4,106 tonnes | +17.9% |
| 1872 | 4,283 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1873 | 4,652 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1874 | 3,367 tonnes | -27.6% |
| 1875 | 4,264 tonnes | +26.7% |
| 1876 | 4,652 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1877 | 4,524 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1878 | 4,577 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1879 | 4,683 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1880 | 5,039 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1881 | 5,050 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1882 | 5,342 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1883 | 5,624 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1884 | 5,960 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1885 | 5,826 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1886 | 6,072 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1887 | 6,362 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1888 | 6,515 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1889 | 7,006 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1890 | 7,521 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1891 | 8,594 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1892 | 8,659 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1893 | 7,988 tonnes | -7.7% |
| 1894 | 8,999 tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1895 | 9,520 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1896 | 10,332 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1897 | 10,748 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1898 | 11,175 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1899 | 11,850 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1900 | 12,679 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1901 | 12,028 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1902 | 12,209 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1903 | 12,845 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1904 | 13,318 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1905 | 13,618 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1906 | 14,744 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1907 | 16,457 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1908 | 16,640 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1909 | 16,707 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1910 | 16,489 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1911 | 18,396 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1912 | 19,416 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1913 | 20,731 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1914 | 18,674 tonnes | -9.9% |
| 1915 | 19,773 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1916 | 18,434 tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1917 | 13,497 tonnes | -26.8% |
| 1918 | 12,376 tonnes | -8.3% |
| 1919 | 9,433 tonnes | -23.8% |
| 1920 | 16,408 tonnes | +73.9% |
| 1921 | 10,667 tonnes | -35.0% |
| 1922 | 14,880 tonnes | +39.5% |
| 1923 | 17,285 tonnes | +16.2% |
| 1924 | 16,999 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1925 | 16,434 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1926 | 16,397 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1927 | 21,311 tonnes | +30.0% |
| 1928 | 22,763 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1929 | 26,263 tonnes | +15.4% |
| 1930 | 26,237 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1931 | 28,711 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1932 | 31,283 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1933 | 31,414 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1934 | 32,841 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1935 | 32,646 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1936 | 32,182 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1937 | 32,989 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1938 | 33,378 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1939 | 36,310 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1940 | 25,043 tonnes | -31.0% |
| 1941 | 15,445 tonnes | -38.3% |
| 1942 | 13,336 tonnes | -13.7% |
| 1943 | 12,894 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1944 | 10,042 tonnes | -22.1% |
| 1945 | 5,391 tonnes | -46.3% |
| 1946 | 24,378 tonnes | +352.2% |
| 1947 | 38,782 tonnes | +59.1% |
| 1948 | 42,206 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1949 | 37,557 tonnes | -11.0% |
| 1950 | 38,492 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1951 | 41,341 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1952 | 41,276 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1953 | 40,983 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1954 | 48,833 tonnes | +19.2% |
| 1955 | 54,871 tonnes | +12.4% |
| 1956 | 69,166 tonnes | +26.1% |
| 1957 | 68,396 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1958 | 73,898 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1959 | 73,038 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1960 | 86,609 tonnes | +18.6% |
| 1961 | 96,805 tonnes | +11.8% |
| 1962 | 108,202 tonnes | +11.8% |
| 1963 | 131,653 tonnes | +21.7% |
| 1964 | 142,680 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1965 | 155,542 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1966 | 162,644 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1967 | 169,448 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1968 | 180,429 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1969 | 197,392 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1970 | 216,531 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1971 | 231,470 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1972 | 237,818 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1973 | 256,833 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1974 | 233,728 tonnes | -9.0% |
| 1975 | 225,693 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1976 | 234,230 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1977 | 238,717 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1978 | 181,740 tonnes | -23.9% |
| 1979 | 178,791 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1980 | 184,099 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1981 | 184,393 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 179,494 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1983 | 188,185 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1984 | 185,510 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1985 | 187,539 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1986 | 181,263 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1987 | 177,294 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1988 | 172,614 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1989 | 167,116 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1990 | 174,498 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1991 | 173,405 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1992 | 168,128 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1993 | 155,822 tonnes | -7.3% |
| 1994 | 153,081 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1995 | 150,131 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 145,465 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1997 | 139,762 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 1998 | 140,316 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 138,997 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 2000 | 135,214 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 2001 | 134,708 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 125,262 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 2003 | 123,502 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 120,402 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 118,855 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2006 | 117,246 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2007 | 116,301 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 2008 | 116,979 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 110,554 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 2010 | 108,051 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 2011 | 103,717 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 2012 | 103,674 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 103,602 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 98,560 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2015 | 95,143 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 93,805 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 90,558 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 2018 | 88,457 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 2019 | 85,167 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 2020 | 62,535 tonnes | -26.6% |
| 2021 | 62,224 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2022 | 64,647 tonnes | +3.9% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 64,647 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 72% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 64,647 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 63% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Switzerland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | +352.2% | 5,391 tonnes | 24,378 tonnes |
| 1920 | +73.9% | 9,433 tonnes | 16,408 tonnes |
| 1947 | +59.1% | 24,378 tonnes | 38,782 tonnes |
| 1945 | -46.3% | 10,042 tonnes | 5,391 tonnes |
| 1922 | +39.5% | 10,667 tonnes | 14,880 tonnes |
| 1941 | -38.3% | 25,043 tonnes | 15,445 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 707.39 tonnes | 698.5 tonnes | 716.25 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 727.34 tonnes | 718.21 tonnes | 736.45 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 747.85 tonnes | 738.47 tonnes | 757.21 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 768.92 tonnes | 759.28 tonnes | 778.54 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 790.58 tonnes | 780.67 tonnes | 800.46 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 816.09 tonnes | 802.65 tonnes | 829.57 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 877.58 tonnes | 832.57 tonnes | 922.71 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 970.43 tonnes | 932.77 tonnes | 1,008 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 1,055 tonnes | 1,017 tonnes | 1,094 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 1,143 tonnes | 1,102 tonnes | 1,183 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 1,288 tonnes | 1,186 tonnes | 1,594 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2,251 tonnes | 1,752 tonnes | 2,581 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 4,259 tonnes | 3,367 tonnes | 4,683 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 5,880 tonnes | 5,039 tonnes | 7,006 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 9,538 tonnes | 7,521 tonnes | 11,850 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 14,125 tonnes | 12,028 tonnes | 16,707 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 16,722 tonnes | 9,433 tonnes | 20,731 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 17,941 tonnes | 10,667 tonnes | 26,263 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 31,799 tonnes | 26,237 tonnes | 36,310 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 22,507 tonnes | 5,391 tonnes | 42,206 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 55,029 tonnes | 38,492 tonnes | 73,898 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 143,140 tonnes | 86,609 tonnes | 197,392 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 223,555 tonnes | 178,791 tonnes | 256,833 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 180,751 tonnes | 167,116 tonnes | 188,185 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 153,960 tonnes | 138,997 tonnes | 174,498 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 121,902 tonnes | 110,554 tonnes | 135,214 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 97,073 tonnes | 85,167 tonnes | 108,051 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 63,136 tonnes | 62,224 tonnes | 64,647 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
- 110 Kyrgyzstan 70,959 tonnes compare
- 111 Cameroon 68,676 tonnes compare
- 112 Burkina Faso 66,536 tonnes compare
- 114 Mali 62,918 tonnes compare
- 115 El Salvador 62,839 tonnes compare
- 116 Lithuania 62,114 tonnes compare
More environment data for Switzerland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -0.2925 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -0.4333 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.458 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.33 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.2741 % 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 0.0914 % 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 Switzerland?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Switzerland was 64,647 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 256,833 tonnes in 1973.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 698.5 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Switzerland rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Switzerland ranks 113th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.