Long run air pollution in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Long run air pollution was 833,456 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
833,456
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
31st
of 220 countries
All-time high
3.47 million
in 1973
All-time low
13,606
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Long run air pollution in United Kingdom, 1750–2022
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2022, long run air pollution in United Kingdom stood at 833,456.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and down 41.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, long run air pollution in United Kingdom peaked at 3.47 million in 1973 and was at its lowest, 13,606, in 1750.
United Kingdom ranks 31st 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.
Long run air pollution in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 13,606 | — |
| 1751 | 13,620 | +0.1% |
| 1752 | 13,638 | +0.1% |
| 1753 | 13,653 | +0.1% |
| 1754 | 13,671 | +0.1% |
| 1755 | 13,690 | +0.1% |
| 1756 | 14,435 | +5.4% |
| 1757 | 14,453 | +0.1% |
| 1758 | 14,472 | +0.1% |
| 1759 | 14,490 | +0.1% |
| 1760 | 14,504 | +0.1% |
| 1761 | 15,603 | +7.6% |
| 1762 | 15,621 | +0.1% |
| 1763 | 15,640 | +0.1% |
| 1764 | 15,658 | +0.1% |
| 1765 | 15,677 | +0.1% |
| 1766 | 17,132 | +9.3% |
| 1767 | 17,151 | +0.1% |
| 1768 | 17,169 | +0.1% |
| 1769 | 17,188 | +0.1% |
| 1770 | 17,206 | +0.1% |
| 1771 | 18,736 | +8.9% |
| 1772 | 18,755 | +0.1% |
| 1773 | 18,774 | +0.1% |
| 1774 | 18,792 | +0.1% |
| 1775 | 18,811 | +0.1% |
| 1776 | 20,424 | +8.6% |
| 1777 | 20,443 | +0.1% |
| 1778 | 20,462 | +0.1% |
| 1779 | 20,480 | +0.1% |
| 1780 | 20,503 | +0.1% |
| 1781 | 22,544 | +10.0% |
| 1782 | 22,563 | +0.1% |
| 1783 | 22,586 | +0.1% |
| 1784 | 22,605 | +0.1% |
| 1785 | 22,628 | +0.1% |
| 1786 | 25,230 | +11.5% |
| 1787 | 25,253 | +0.1% |
| 1788 | 25,404 | +0.6% |
| 1789 | 25,440 | +0.1% |
| 1790 | 25,477 | +0.1% |
| 1791 | 28,048 | +10.1% |
| 1792 | 28,085 | +0.1% |
| 1793 | 28,122 | +0.1% |
| 1794 | 28,155 | +0.1% |
| 1795 | 28,192 | +0.1% |
| 1796 | 29,322 | +4.0% |
| 1797 | 30,639 | +4.5% |
| 1798 | 31,782 | +3.7% |
| 1799 | 33,273 | +4.7% |
| 1800 | 34,258 | +3.0% |
| 1801 | 34,367 | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 34,546 | +0.5% |
| 1803 | 38,356 | +11.0% |
| 1804 | 38,536 | +0.5% |
| 1805 | 39,841 | +3.4% |
| 1806 | 41,890 | +5.1% |
| 1807 | 41,910 | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 41,934 | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 41,958 | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 41,982 | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 44,666 | +6.4% |
| 1812 | 46,332 | +3.7% |
| 1813 | 46,940 | +1.3% |
| 1814 | 47,854 | +1.9% |
| 1815 | 48,909 | +2.2% |
| 1816 | 51,867 | +6.0% |
| 1817 | 52,528 | +1.3% |
| 1818 | 52,748 | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 53,242 | +0.9% |
| 1820 | 53,595 | +0.7% |
| 1821 | 54,107 | +1.0% |
| 1822 | 56,098 | +3.7% |
| 1823 | 58,887 | +5.0% |
| 1824 | 61,581 | +4.6% |
| 1825 | 62,348 | +1.2% |
| 1826 | 63,146 | +1.3% |
| 1827 | 65,682 | +4.0% |
| 1828 | 66,177 | +0.8% |
| 1829 | 67,064 | +1.3% |
| 1830 | 83,577 | +24.6% |
| 1831 | 81,316 | -2.7% |
| 1832 | 81,237 | -0.1% |
| 1833 | 81,249 | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 81,696 | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 81,782 | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 94,688 | +15.8% |
| 1837 | 91,880 | -3.0% |
| 1838 | 94,420 | +2.8% |
| 1839 | 96,877 | +2.6% |
| 1840 | 100,875 | +4.1% |
| 1841 | 102,101 | +1.2% |
| 1842 | 105,354 | +3.2% |
| 1843 | 109,829 | +4.2% |
| 1844 | 115,112 | +4.8% |
| 1845 | 122,816 | +6.7% |
| 1846 | 118,449 | -3.6% |
| 1847 | 127,859 | +7.9% |
| 1848 | 134,556 | +5.2% |
| 1849 | 142,365 | +5.8% |
| 1850 | 150,248 | +5.5% |
| 1851 | 142,125 | -5.4% |
| 1852 | 140,307 | -1.3% |
| 1853 | 138,175 | -1.5% |
| 1854 | 162,214 | +17.4% |
| 1855 | 150,983 | -6.9% |
| 1856 | 167,673 | +11.1% |
| 1857 | 170,462 | +1.7% |
| 1858 | 172,204 | +1.0% |
| 1859 | 196,097 | +13.9% |
| 1860 | 224,784 | +14.6% |
| 1861 | 237,016 | +5.4% |
| 1862 | 234,187 | -1.2% |
| 1863 | 253,105 | +8.1% |
| 1864 | 275,238 | +8.7% |
| 1865 | 294,822 | +7.1% |
| 1866 | 307,189 | +4.2% |
| 1867 | 319,410 | +4.0% |
| 1868 | 318,028 | -0.4% |
| 1869 | 338,291 | +6.4% |
| 1870 | 350,761 | +3.7% |
| 1871 | 379,232 | +8.1% |
| 1872 | 406,065 | +7.1% |
| 1873 | 429,421 | +5.8% |
| 1874 | 424,900 | -1.1% |
| 1875 | 456,094 | +7.3% |
| 1876 | 458,022 | +0.4% |
| 1877 | 468,750 | +2.3% |
| 1878 | 461,580 | -1.5% |
| 1879 | 466,709 | +1.1% |
| 1880 | 511,592 | +9.6% |
| 1881 | 542,366 | +6.0% |
| 1882 | 550,442 | +1.5% |
| 1883 | 575,410 | +4.5% |
| 1884 | 560,821 | -2.5% |
| 1885 | 557,916 | -0.5% |
| 1886 | 554,522 | -0.6% |
| 1887 | 572,184 | +3.2% |
| 1888 | 598,610 | +4.6% |
| 1889 | 622,909 | +4.1% |
| 1890 | 638,804 | +2.6% |
| 1891 | 653,384 | +2.3% |
| 1892 | 639,973 | -2.1% |
| 1893 | 578,684 | -9.6% |
| 1894 | 661,192 | +14.3% |
| 1895 | 669,584 | +1.3% |
| 1896 | 692,602 | +3.4% |
| 1897 | 712,339 | +2.8% |
| 1898 | 717,744 | +0.8% |
| 1899 | 771,819 | +7.5% |
| 1900 | 783,333 | +1.5% |
| 1901 | 765,042 | -2.3% |
| 1902 | 796,753 | +4.1% |
| 1903 | 803,297 | +0.8% |
| 1904 | 807,585 | +0.5% |
| 1905 | 819,467 | +1.5% |
| 1906 | 848,883 | +3.6% |
| 1907 | 885,531 | +4.3% |
| 1908 | 850,705 | -3.9% |
| 1909 | 876,807 | +3.1% |
| 1910 | 884,068 | +0.8% |
| 1911 | 911,453 | +3.1% |
| 1912 | 874,492 | -4.1% |
| 1913 | 887,367 | +1.5% |
| 1914 | 886,246 | -0.1% |
| 1915 | 915,671 | +3.3% |
| 1916 | 938,501 | +2.5% |
| 1917 | 968,299 | +3.2% |
| 1918 | 944,913 | -2.4% |
| 1919 | 863,130 | -8.7% |
| 1920 | 871,252 | +0.9% |
| 1921 | 575,459 | -34.0% |
| 1922 | 747,849 | +30.0% |
| 1923 | 663,586 | -11.3% |
| 1924 | 708,140 | +6.7% |
| 1925 | 693,172 | -2.1% |
| 1926 | 508,192 | -26.7% |
| 1927 | 749,867 | +47.6% |
| 1928 | 688,639 | -8.2% |
| 1929 | 721,040 | +4.7% |
| 1930 | 692,082 | -4.0% |
| 1931 | 643,740 | -7.0% |
| 1932 | 637,015 | -1.0% |
| 1933 | 644,320 | +1.1% |
| 1934 | 696,151 | +8.0% |
| 1935 | 719,235 | +3.3% |
| 1936 | 764,905 | +6.3% |
| 1937 | 795,261 | +4.0% |
| 1938 | 770,229 | -3.1% |
| 1939 | 804,040 | +4.4% |
| 1940 | 841,418 | +4.6% |
| 1941 | 844,723 | +0.4% |
| 1942 | 847,454 | +0.3% |
| 1943 | 822,558 | -2.9% |
| 1944 | 823,886 | +0.2% |
| 1945 | 793,798 | -3.7% |
| 1946 | 858,666 | +8.2% |
| 1947 | 857,284 | -0.2% |
| 1948 | 954,114 | +11.3% |
| 1949 | 993,449 | +4.1% |
| 1950 | 1.21 million | +21.4% |
| 1951 | 1.33 million | +10.1% |
| 1952 | 1.31 million | -1.1% |
| 1953 | 1.34 million | +2.3% |
| 1954 | 1.43 million | +6.1% |
| 1955 | 1.50 million | +5.4% |
| 1956 | 1.52 million | +1.2% |
| 1957 | 1.55 million | +2.1% |
| 1958 | 1.57 million | +1.1% |
| 1959 | 1.67 million | +6.6% |
| 1960 | 2.38 million | +42.2% |
| 1961 | 2.44 million | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 2.51 million | +2.7% |
| 1963 | 2.62 million | +4.7% |
| 1964 | 2.68 million | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 2.79 million | +4.2% |
| 1966 | 2.78 million | -0.6% |
| 1967 | 2.82 million | +1.7% |
| 1968 | 2.92 million | +3.3% |
| 1969 | 3.06 million | +5.0% |
| 1970 | 3.23 million | +5.6% |
| 1971 | 3.32 million | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 3.29 million | -0.9% |
| 1973 | 3.47 million | +5.7% |
| 1974 | 3.22 million | -7.3% |
| 1975 | 3.00 million | -6.8% |
| 1976 | 3.04 million | +1.2% |
| 1977 | 3.01 million | -0.7% |
| 1978 | 3.06 million | +1.5% |
| 1979 | 3.17 million | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 2.98 million | -6.1% |
| 1981 | 2.85 million | -4.3% |
| 1982 | 2.86 million | +0.5% |
| 1983 | 2.82 million | -1.6% |
| 1984 | 2.80 million | -0.7% |
| 1985 | 2.87 million | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 2.97 million | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 3.04 million | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 3.12 million | +2.9% |
| 1989 | 3.21 million | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 3.23 million | +0.6% |
| 1991 | 3.15 million | -2.5% |
| 1992 | 3.11 million | -1.2% |
| 1993 | 2.98 million | -4.4% |
| 1994 | 2.88 million | -3.2% |
| 1995 | 2.76 million | -4.2% |
| 1996 | 2.71 million | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 2.54 million | -6.0% |
| 1998 | 2.48 million | -2.6% |
| 1999 | 2.30 million | -7.2% |
| 2000 | 2.19 million | -4.7% |
| 2001 | 2.15 million | -2.1% |
| 2002 | 2.02 million | -6.1% |
| 2003 | 2.02 million | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 2.00 million | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 2.00 million | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 2.00 million | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 1.91 million | -4.4% |
| 2008 | 1.79 million | -6.0% |
| 2009 | 1.58 million | -12.0% |
| 2010 | 1.50 million | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 1.45 million | -3.5% |
| 2012 | 1.43 million | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 1.37 million | -4.3% |
| 2014 | 1.29 million | -6.2% |
| 2015 | 1.25 million | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 1.18 million | -5.4% |
| 2017 | 1.13 million | -4.6% |
| 2018 | 1.10 million | -2.3% |
| 2019 | 1.04 million | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 813,778 | -21.9% |
| 2021 | 821,239 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 833,456 | +1.5% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 833,456 is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409, 9.2× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 833,456 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006, 8.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Long run air pollution in United Kingdom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | +47.6% | 508,192 | 749,867 |
| 1960 | +42.2% | 1.67 million | 2.38 million |
| 1921 | -34.0% | 871,252 | 575,459 |
| 1922 | +30.0% | 575,459 | 747,849 |
| 1926 | -26.7% | 693,172 | 508,192 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 13,973 | 13,606 | 14,490 | 10 |
| 1760s | 16,134 | 14,504 | 17,188 | 10 |
| 1770s | 19,288 | 17,206 | 20,480 | 10 |
| 1780s | 23,475 | 20,503 | 25,440 | 10 |
| 1790s | 29,109 | 25,477 | 33,273 | 10 |
| 1800s | 38,759 | 34,258 | 41,958 | 10 |
| 1810s | 48,707 | 41,982 | 53,242 | 10 |
| 1820s | 60,869 | 53,595 | 67,064 | 10 |
| 1830s | 86,872 | 81,237 | 96,877 | 10 |
| 1840s | 117,932 | 100,875 | 142,365 | 10 |
| 1850s | 159,049 | 138,175 | 196,097 | 10 |
| 1860s | 280,207 | 224,784 | 338,291 | 10 |
| 1870s | 430,153 | 350,761 | 468,750 | 10 |
| 1880s | 564,677 | 511,592 | 622,909 | 10 |
| 1890s | 673,612 | 578,684 | 771,819 | 10 |
| 1900s | 823,740 | 765,042 | 885,531 | 10 |
| 1910s | 907,414 | 863,130 | 968,299 | 10 |
| 1920s | 692,720 | 508,192 | 871,252 | 10 |
| 1930s | 716,698 | 637,015 | 804,040 | 10 |
| 1940s | 863,735 | 793,798 | 993,449 | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.44 million | 1.21 million | 1.67 million | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.70 million | 2.38 million | 3.06 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.18 million | 3.00 million | 3.47 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.95 million | 2.80 million | 3.21 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.81 million | 2.30 million | 3.23 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.97 million | 1.58 million | 2.19 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.28 million | 1.04 million | 1.50 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 822,824 | 813,778 | 833,456 | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More environment data for United Kingdom
- Grazing land use over the long-term, annual growth rate -1.1 % change on previous year (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per capita 0.1522 hectares per person (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -3.13 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.25 Percentage change (2025)
- Grazing land use over the long-term, per square kilometre 44.21 hectares per square kilometre (2024)
- Sawnwood, coniferous — Production, annual growth rate 9.68 % change on previous year (2024)
- Wood-based panels — Production, annual growth rate -2.38 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -3.47 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is long run air pollution in United Kingdom?
- Long run air pollution in United Kingdom was 833,456 in 2022, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest long run air pollution recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 3.47 million in 1973.
- What is the lowest long run air pollution recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 13,606 in 1750.
- How does United Kingdom rank for long run air pollution?
- United Kingdom ranks 31st out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is long run air pollution rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Long run air pollution. 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).