Pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France

France: Pollution, grime or other environmental problems was 16.0% in 2023. ▼ Falling

Latest (2023)
16.0%
Change on year
down 14.0%
World rank
5th
of 47 countries
All-time high
20.1%
in 2004
All-time low
11.3%
in 2012
Years of data
18
2004–2023

Pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France, 2004–2023

051015202004201320232004: 20.1 Percentage2005: 17.1 Percentage2006: 15.4 Percentage2007: 16.4 Percentage2008: 14.3 Percentage2009: 12.9 Percentage2010: 12.9 Percentage2011: 11.7 Percentage2012: 11.3 Percentage2013: 11.7 Percentage2014: 11.8 Percentage2015: 12.7 Percentage2016: 14.1 Percentage2017: 13.1 Percentage2018: 14.7 Percentage2019: 14.9 Percentage2020: 18.6 Percentage2023: 16 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

The most recent figure for pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France is 16.0%, measured in 2023.

The figure is down 14.0% on the previous year and up 36.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France peaked at 20.1% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 11.3%, in 2012.

France ranks 5th of 47 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 18 years of available data.

Pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France, year by year

Annual values for Pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France, 2004 to 2023.
Year Percentage Change
2004 20.1% —
2005 17.1% -14.9%
2006 15.4% -9.9%
2007 16.4% +6.5%
2008 14.3% -12.8%
2009 12.9% -9.8%
2010 12.9% +0.0%
2011 11.7% -9.3%
2012 11.3% -3.4%
2013 11.7% +3.5%
2014 11.8% +0.9%
2015 12.7% +7.6%
2016 14.1% +11.0%
2017 13.1% -7.1%
2018 14.7% +12.2%
2019 14.9% +1.4%
2020 18.6% +24.8%
2023 16.0% -14.0%

France compared with similar countries

  • France's 16.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 10.4%, 1.5× the median. (31 countries reporting)
  • France's 16.0% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 10.3%, 1.6× the median. (34 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 16.0% 12.9% 20.1% 6
2010s 12.9% 11.3% 14.9% 10
2020s 17.3% 16.0% 18.6% 2

Countries ranked near France

  1. 2 Greece 20.5% compare
  2. 3 Türkiye 19.8% compare
  3. 4 Germany 16.8% compare
  4. 6 Latvia 15.4% compare
  5. 6 Latvia 15.4% compare
  6. 8 Portugal 15.3% compare

See the full ranking of 52 places →

More environment data for France

All data for France →

Frequently asked questions

What is pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France?
Pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France was 16.0% in 2023, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest pollution, grime or other environmental problems recorded in France?
The highest recorded value was 20.1% in 2004.
What is the lowest pollution, grime or other environmental problems recorded in France?
The lowest recorded value was 11.3% in 2012.
How does France rank for pollution, grime or other environmental problems?
France ranks 5th out of 47 countries with data for 2023.
Is pollution, grime or other environmental problems rising or falling in France?
Over the last ten years it is up 36.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this France data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Pollution, grime or other environmental problems. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Pollution, grime or other environmental problems in France. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 25 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/pollution-grime-or-other-environmental-problems/france/

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About this data

Indicator
Pollution, grime or other environmental problems
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
52 places, 816 data points, 2003–2023
Last refreshed