Emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan
Taiwan: Emissions of air pollutants was 368,369 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
368,369 tonnes
Change on year
down 2.0%
World rank
48th
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.17 million tonnes
in 1999
All-time low
114.3 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan, 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 Taiwan stood at 368,369 tonnes.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and down 33.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan peaked at 1.17 million tonnes in 1999 and was at its lowest, 114.3 tonnes, in 1750.
Taiwan ranks 48th of 220 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 114.3 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 114.5 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 114.7 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 114.9 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 115.09 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 115.29 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 115.49 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 115.69 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 115.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 116.08 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 116.28 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 116.48 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 116.68 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 116.88 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 117.08 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 117.28 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 117.47 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 117.67 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 117.87 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 118.07 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 118.26 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 118.46 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 118.66 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 118.86 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 119.06 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 119.25 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 119.45 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 119.65 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 119.84 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 120.04 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 120.24 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 120.44 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 120.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 120.83 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 121.03 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 121.22 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 121.42 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 121.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 121.81 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 122.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 122.2 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1791 | 122.4 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 122.59 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 122.79 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 122.98 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 123.18 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 123.37 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 123.57 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1798 | 123.76 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1799 | 123.95 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1800 | 124.15 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1801 | 124.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 124.61 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 124.85 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1804 | 125.08 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1805 | 125.31 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1806 | 125.54 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1807 | 125.78 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1808 | 126.01 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1809 | 126.24 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1810 | 126.47 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1811 | 126.7 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1812 | 126.94 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1813 | 127.17 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1814 | 127.4 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1815 | 127.63 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1816 | 127.86 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1817 | 128.09 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1818 | 128.32 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1819 | 128.55 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1820 | 128.78 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1821 | 129.11 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1822 | 129.43 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1823 | 129.76 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1824 | 130.08 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1825 | 130.41 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1826 | 130.73 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1827 | 131.05 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1828 | 131.38 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1829 | 131.7 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1830 | 132.03 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1831 | 132.44 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1832 | 132.85 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1833 | 133.26 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1834 | 133.68 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1835 | 134.09 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1836 | 134.5 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1837 | 134.91 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1838 | 135.32 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1839 | 135.73 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1840 | 136.14 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1841 | 136.56 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1842 | 136.98 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1843 | 137.39 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1844 | 137.81 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1845 | 138.23 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1846 | 138.64 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1847 | 139.06 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1848 | 139.47 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1849 | 139.89 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1850 | 140.3 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1851 | 140.72 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1852 | 141.15 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1853 | 141.59 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1854 | 142.04 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1855 | 142.49 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1856 | 142.96 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1857 | 143.44 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1858 | 143.92 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1859 | 144.42 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1860 | 144.93 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1861 | 145.44 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1862 | 145.95 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1863 | 146.47 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1864 | 146.99 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1865 | 147.51 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1866 | 148.04 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1867 | 148.57 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1868 | 149.11 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1869 | 149.65 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1870 | 150.19 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1871 | 150.74 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1872 | 151.29 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1873 | 151.84 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1874 | 152.39 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1875 | 152.94 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1876 | 153.5 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1877 | 154.05 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1878 | 154.61 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1879 | 155.16 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1880 | 155.72 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1881 | 156.25 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1882 | 156.78 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1883 | 157.32 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1884 | 157.85 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1885 | 158.4 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1886 | 158.94 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1887 | 159.48 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1888 | 160.6 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1889 | 161.73 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 162.86 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1891 | 165.83 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1892 | 168.83 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1893 | 171.84 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1894 | 174.88 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1895 | 177.95 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1896 | 188.37 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1897 | 287.03 tonnes | +52.4% |
| 1898 | 415.13 tonnes | +44.6% |
| 1899 | 352.1 tonnes | -15.2% |
| 1900 | 454 tonnes | +28.9% |
| 1901 | 599.5 tonnes | +32.0% |
| 1902 | 774.37 tonnes | +29.2% |
| 1903 | 707.6 tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1904 | 729.3 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1905 | 810.57 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1906 | 900.62 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1907 | 1,114 tonnes | +23.7% |
| 1908 | 1,259 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1909 | 1,452 tonnes | +15.4% |
| 1910 | 1,744 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1911 | 1,877 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1912 | 2,009 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1913 | 2,240 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1914 | 2,376 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1915 | 2,568 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1916 | 3,264 tonnes | +27.1% |
| 1917 | 4,040 tonnes | +23.8% |
| 1918 | 4,674 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1919 | 6,107 tonnes | +30.7% |
| 1920 | 6,326 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1921 | 5,819 tonnes | -8.0% |
| 1922 | 7,410 tonnes | +27.3% |
| 1923 | 7,946 tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1924 | 8,288 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1925 | 9,215 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1926 | 9,795 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1927 | 10,160 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1928 | 8,836 tonnes | -13.0% |
| 1929 | 8,696 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1930 | 8,977 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 8,112 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 1932 | 7,782 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1933 | 8,753 tonnes | +12.5% |
| 1934 | 8,706 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1935 | 9,078 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1936 | 9,756 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1937 | 10,988 tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1938 | 12,128 tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1939 | 14,312 tonnes | +18.0% |
| 1940 | 15,317 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1941 | 15,599 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1942 | 12,791 tonnes | -18.0% |
| 1943 | 12,925 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1944 | 9,680 tonnes | -25.1% |
| 1945 | 5,264 tonnes | -45.6% |
| 1946 | 6,530 tonnes | +24.0% |
| 1947 | 7,841 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1948 | 9,418 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1949 | 9,151 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1950 | 13,603 tonnes | +48.7% |
| 1951 | 20,959 tonnes | +54.1% |
| 1952 | 21,769 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1953 | 23,480 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1954 | 25,952 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1955 | 24,646 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1956 | 27,504 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1957 | 26,660 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1958 | 30,651 tonnes | +15.0% |
| 1959 | 33,916 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 1960 | 34,481 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1961 | 35,890 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1962 | 38,834 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1963 | 40,511 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1964 | 44,604 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1965 | 50,978 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1966 | 57,991 tonnes | +13.8% |
| 1967 | 64,903 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1968 | 69,999 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1969 | 77,460 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 1970 | 87,324 tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1971 | 104,495 tonnes | +19.7% |
| 1972 | 132,783 tonnes | +27.1% |
| 1973 | 160,648 tonnes | +21.0% |
| 1974 | 133,297 tonnes | -17.0% |
| 1975 | 151,990 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1976 | 192,515 tonnes | +26.7% |
| 1977 | 206,690 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1978 | 259,684 tonnes | +25.6% |
| 1979 | 249,781 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1980 | 275,814 tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1981 | 272,397 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1982 | 298,158 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1983 | 355,306 tonnes | +19.2% |
| 1984 | 400,516 tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1985 | 413,589 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1986 | 494,841 tonnes | +19.6% |
| 1987 | 540,941 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1988 | 625,885 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1989 | 717,722 tonnes | +14.7% |
| 1990 | 738,990 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1991 | 764,262 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1992 | 877,478 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1993 | 908,179 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 970,964 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1995 | 1.02 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 1.02 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 1.07 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1998 | 1.10 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1999 | 1.17 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 2000 | 1.15 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 2001 | 1.02 million tonnes | -11.4% |
| 2002 | 999,914 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 2003 | 1.04 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 2004 | 940,929 tonnes | -9.4% |
| 2005 | 890,919 tonnes | -5.3% |
| 2006 | 835,945 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 2007 | 794,871 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2008 | 730,875 tonnes | -8.1% |
| 2009 | 653,699 tonnes | -10.6% |
| 2010 | 682,070 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 639,270 tonnes | -6.3% |
| 2012 | 552,837 tonnes | -13.5% |
| 2013 | 526,701 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2014 | 514,570 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 506,478 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2016 | 521,388 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 492,294 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 2018 | 445,216 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 2019 | 430,974 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 374,535 tonnes | -13.1% |
| 2021 | 375,907 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 368,369 tonnes | -2.0% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | +54.1% | 13,603 tonnes | 20,959 tonnes |
| 1897 | +52.4% | 188.37 tonnes | 287.03 tonnes |
| 1950 | +48.7% | 9,151 tonnes | 13,603 tonnes |
| 1945 | -45.6% | 9,680 tonnes | 5,264 tonnes |
| 1898 | +44.6% | 287.03 tonnes | 415.13 tonnes |
| 1901 | +32.0% | 454 tonnes | 599.5 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 115.19 tonnes | 114.3 tonnes | 116.08 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 117.17 tonnes | 116.28 tonnes | 118.07 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 119.15 tonnes | 118.26 tonnes | 120.04 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 121.12 tonnes | 120.24 tonnes | 122.01 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 123.08 tonnes | 122.2 tonnes | 123.95 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 125.19 tonnes | 124.15 tonnes | 126.24 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 127.51 tonnes | 126.47 tonnes | 128.55 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 130.24 tonnes | 128.78 tonnes | 131.7 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 133.88 tonnes | 132.03 tonnes | 135.73 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 138.02 tonnes | 136.14 tonnes | 139.89 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 142.3 tonnes | 140.3 tonnes | 144.42 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 147.27 tonnes | 144.93 tonnes | 149.65 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 152.67 tonnes | 150.19 tonnes | 155.16 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 158.31 tonnes | 155.72 tonnes | 161.73 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 226.48 tonnes | 162.86 tonnes | 415.13 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 880.14 tonnes | 454 tonnes | 1,452 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 3,090 tonnes | 1,744 tonnes | 6,107 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 8,249 tonnes | 5,819 tonnes | 10,160 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 9,859 tonnes | 7,782 tonnes | 14,312 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 10,452 tonnes | 5,264 tonnes | 15,599 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 24,914 tonnes | 13,603 tonnes | 33,916 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 51,565 tonnes | 34,481 tonnes | 77,460 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 167,921 tonnes | 87,324 tonnes | 259,684 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 439,517 tonnes | 272,397 tonnes | 717,722 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 964,020 tonnes | 738,990 tonnes | 1.17 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 905,779 tonnes | 653,699 tonnes | 1.15 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 531,180 tonnes | 430,974 tonnes | 682,070 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 372,937 tonnes | 368,369 tonnes | 375,907 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Taiwan
More environment data for Taiwan
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.5363 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.4698 Percentage change (2025)
- Exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -4.56 Percentage change (2024)
- Exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -1.47 Percentage change (2024)
- Land use hidden — Total area 35,960 Square kilometres (2023)
- Land use hidden — Other areas 27,620 Square kilometres (2023)
- Land use hidden — Land area 35,410 Square kilometres (2023)
- Land use hidden — Cropland 7,790 Square kilometres (2023)
- Exposure to outdoor air pollution 16.6 µg/m³ (2024)
- Exposure to air pollution from human sources 15.01 micrograms per cubic meter (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Taiwan was 368,369 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 Taiwan?
- The highest recorded value was 1.17 million tonnes in 1999.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Taiwan?
- The lowest recorded value was 114.3 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Taiwan rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Taiwan ranks 48th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Taiwan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Taiwan 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.