Emissions of air pollutants in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Emissions of air pollutants was 74,017 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
74,017 tonnes
Change on year
up 3.3%
World rank
109th
of 220 countries
All-time high
103,465 tonnes
in 1999
All-time low
33.31 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Zimbabwe, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded 74,017 tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
That represents a change of up 3.3% on the previous year and down 14.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Zimbabwe peaked at 103,465 tonnes in 1999 and was at its lowest, 33.31 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Zimbabwe 109th 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 Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 33.31 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 33.9 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1752 | 34.5 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1753 | 35.1 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1754 | 35.69 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1755 | 36.29 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1756 | 36.89 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1757 | 37.48 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1758 | 38.08 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1759 | 38.68 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1760 | 39.27 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1761 | 39.98 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1762 | 40.68 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1763 | 41.39 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1764 | 42.09 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1765 | 42.8 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1766 | 43.5 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1767 | 44.2 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1768 | 44.91 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1769 | 45.61 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1770 | 46.32 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1771 | 47.15 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1772 | 47.98 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1773 | 48.81 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1774 | 49.64 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1775 | 50.48 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1776 | 51.31 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1777 | 52.14 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1778 | 52.97 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1779 | 53.8 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1780 | 54.63 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1781 | 55.62 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1782 | 56.6 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1783 | 57.58 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1784 | 58.56 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1785 | 59.54 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1786 | 60.53 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1787 | 61.51 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1788 | 62.49 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1789 | 63.47 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1790 | 64.45 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1791 | 65.61 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1792 | 66.77 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1793 | 67.93 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1794 | 69.09 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1795 | 70.25 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1796 | 71.41 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1797 | 72.57 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1798 | 73.73 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1799 | 74.89 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1800 | 76.05 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1801 | 77.67 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1802 | 79.29 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1803 | 80.92 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1804 | 82.56 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1805 | 84.21 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1806 | 85.86 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1807 | 87.52 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1808 | 89.2 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1809 | 90.88 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1810 | 92.57 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1811 | 94.53 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1812 | 96.5 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1813 | 98.47 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1814 | 100.46 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1815 | 102.46 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1816 | 104.46 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1817 | 106.48 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1818 | 108.51 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1819 | 110.55 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1820 | 112.6 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1821 | 114.97 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1822 | 117.36 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1823 | 119.75 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1824 | 122.16 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1825 | 124.58 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1826 | 127.01 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1827 | 129.45 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1828 | 131.91 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1829 | 134.38 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1830 | 136.86 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1831 | 139.73 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1832 | 142.62 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1833 | 145.53 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1834 | 148.44 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1835 | 151.38 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1836 | 154.32 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1837 | 157.28 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1838 | 160.25 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1839 | 163.24 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1840 | 166.24 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1841 | 169.72 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1842 | 173.22 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1843 | 176.74 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1844 | 180.27 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1845 | 183.81 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1846 | 187.38 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1847 | 190.96 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1848 | 194.56 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1849 | 198.18 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1850 | 201.81 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1851 | 206.2 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1852 | 210.63 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1853 | 215.09 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1854 | 219.58 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1855 | 224.1 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1856 | 228.66 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1857 | 233.26 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1858 | 237.89 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1859 | 242.56 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1860 | 247.27 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1861 | 253.61 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1862 | 260 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1863 | 266.49 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1864 | 273.05 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1865 | 279.68 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1866 | 286.39 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1867 | 293.19 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1868 | 300.05 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1869 | 307 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1870 | 314.04 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1871 | 322.01 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1872 | 330 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1873 | 338.1 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1874 | 346.3 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1875 | 354.57 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1876 | 362.95 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1877 | 371.42 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1878 | 379.98 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1879 | 388.65 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1880 | 397.42 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1881 | 407.27 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1882 | 417.26 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1883 | 427.36 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1884 | 437.56 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1885 | 447.88 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1886 | 458.32 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1887 | 468.88 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1888 | 479.78 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1889 | 490.82 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1890 | 502 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1891 | 514.55 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1892 | 527.27 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1893 | 540.13 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1894 | 553.12 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1895 | 566.28 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1896 | 579.6 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1897 | 593.03 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1898 | 606.65 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1899 | 620.41 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1900 | 634.31 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1901 | 658.02 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1902 | 682.3 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1903 | 707.24 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1904 | 732.71 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1905 | 758.85 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1906 | 786.04 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1907 | 813.89 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1908 | 842.49 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1909 | 871.74 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1910 | 901.65 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1911 | 934.47 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1912 | 968.03 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1913 | 1,002 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1914 | 1,038 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1915 | 1,074 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1916 | 1,111 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1917 | 1,149 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1918 | 1,188 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1919 | 1,227 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1920 | 1,268 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1921 | 1,317 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1922 | 1,369 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1923 | 1,422 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1924 | 1,476 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1925 | 1,565 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1926 | 1,646 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1927 | 1,716 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1928 | 1,784 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1929 | 1,849 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1930 | 1,908 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 1,979 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1932 | 2,044 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1933 | 2,110 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1934 | 2,177 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1935 | 2,245 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1936 | 2,335 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1937 | 2,437 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1938 | 2,538 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1939 | 2,639 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1940 | 2,740 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1941 | 2,878 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1942 | 3,014 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1943 | 3,159 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1944 | 3,312 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1945 | 3,470 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1946 | 3,651 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1947 | 3,845 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1948 | 4,047 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1949 | 4,273 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1950 | 4,496 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1951 | 4,746 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1952 | 4,998 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1953 | 5,259 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1954 | 5,516 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1955 | 5,766 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1956 | 6,032 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1957 | 6,324 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1958 | 6,644 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1959 | 6,977 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1960 | 7,292 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1961 | 7,568 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1962 | 7,782 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1963 | 8,505 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1964 | 31,146 tonnes | +266.2% |
| 1965 | 38,578 tonnes | +23.9% |
| 1966 | 33,965 tonnes | -12.0% |
| 1967 | 34,193 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1968 | 37,806 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1969 | 39,917 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1970 | 43,221 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1971 | 45,406 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1972 | 46,393 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1973 | 51,245 tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1974 | 50,427 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1975 | 50,425 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1976 | 49,694 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1977 | 47,501 tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1978 | 48,954 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 47,126 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1980 | 54,992 tonnes | +16.7% |
| 1981 | 59,055 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1982 | 55,620 tonnes | -5.8% |
| 1983 | 60,172 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1984 | 60,922 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1985 | 66,942 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1986 | 71,251 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1987 | 85,072 tonnes | +19.4% |
| 1988 | 84,823 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1989 | 83,663 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1990 | 91,088 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1991 | 90,063 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1992 | 95,535 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1993 | 89,534 tonnes | -6.3% |
| 1994 | 93,961 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 94,233 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 89,316 tonnes | -5.2% |
| 1997 | 87,926 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1998 | 89,143 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1999 | 103,465 tonnes | +16.1% |
| 2000 | 87,173 tonnes | -15.7% |
| 2001 | 88,082 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 82,352 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 2003 | 70,144 tonnes | -14.8% |
| 2004 | 68,181 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 2005 | 70,497 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2006 | 61,269 tonnes | -13.1% |
| 2007 | 60,173 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2008 | 53,041 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 2009 | 54,260 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 66,960 tonnes | +23.4% |
| 2011 | 81,208 tonnes | +21.3% |
| 2012 | 86,571 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 2013 | 85,820 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 2014 | 82,594 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 2015 | 80,484 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 75,121 tonnes | -6.7% |
| 2017 | 75,438 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 83,017 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 2019 | 80,246 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 2020 | 68,586 tonnes | -14.5% |
| 2021 | 71,677 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 74,017 tonnes | +3.3% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 74,017 tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74,017 tonnes, 1.0× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 74,017 tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 44,992 tonnes, 1.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Zimbabwe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | +266.2% | 8,505 tonnes | 31,146 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 35.99 tonnes | 33.31 tonnes | 38.68 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 42.44 tonnes | 39.27 tonnes | 45.61 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 50.06 tonnes | 46.32 tonnes | 53.8 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 59.05 tonnes | 54.63 tonnes | 63.47 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 69.67 tonnes | 64.45 tonnes | 74.89 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 83.42 tonnes | 76.05 tonnes | 90.88 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 101.5 tonnes | 92.57 tonnes | 110.55 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 123.42 tonnes | 112.6 tonnes | 134.38 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 149.96 tonnes | 136.86 tonnes | 163.24 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 182.11 tonnes | 166.24 tonnes | 198.18 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 221.98 tonnes | 201.81 tonnes | 242.56 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 276.67 tonnes | 247.27 tonnes | 307 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 350.8 tonnes | 314.04 tonnes | 388.65 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 443.25 tonnes | 397.42 tonnes | 490.82 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 560.3 tonnes | 502 tonnes | 620.41 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 748.76 tonnes | 634.31 tonnes | 871.74 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 1,059 tonnes | 901.65 tonnes | 1,227 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 1,541 tonnes | 1,268 tonnes | 1,849 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 2,241 tonnes | 1,908 tonnes | 2,639 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 3,439 tonnes | 2,740 tonnes | 4,273 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 5,676 tonnes | 4,496 tonnes | 6,977 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 24,675 tonnes | 7,292 tonnes | 39,917 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 48,039 tonnes | 43,221 tonnes | 51,245 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 68,251 tonnes | 54,992 tonnes | 85,072 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 92,426 tonnes | 87,926 tonnes | 103,465 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 69,517 tonnes | 53,041 tonnes | 88,082 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 79,746 tonnes | 66,960 tonnes | 86,571 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 71,427 tonnes | 68,586 tonnes | 74,017 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
- 106 Jamaica 79,290 tonnes compare
- 107 Costa Rica 79,121 tonnes compare
- 108 Madagascar 77,423 tonnes compare
- 110 Kyrgyzstan 70,959 tonnes compare
- 111 Cameroon 68,676 tonnes compare
- 112 Burkina Faso 66,536 tonnes compare
More environment data for Zimbabwe
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.93 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 3.29 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.311 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.06 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.19 % 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 1.53 % 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 Zimbabwe?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Zimbabwe was 74,017 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 103,465 tonnes in 1999.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.31 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Zimbabwe ranks 109th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.