emissions of air pollutants in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: emissions of air pollutants was 1.10 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.10 million tonnes
Change on year
down 2.5%
World rank
51st
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.13 million tonnes
in 2021
All-time low
142,073 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Afghanistan, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 1.10 million tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
That represents a change of down 2.5% on the previous year and up 11.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Afghanistan peaked at 1.13 million tonnes in 2021 and was at its lowest, 142,073 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Afghanistan 51st out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 142,073 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 142,652 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1752 | 143,231 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1753 | 143,810 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1754 | 144,389 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1755 | 144,968 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1756 | 145,546 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1757 | 146,125 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1758 | 146,703 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1759 | 147,281 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1760 | 147,859 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1761 | 148,461 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1762 | 149,062 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1763 | 149,663 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1764 | 150,264 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1765 | 150,865 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1766 | 151,466 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1767 | 152,066 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1768 | 152,667 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1769 | 153,267 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1770 | 153,867 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1771 | 154,492 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1772 | 155,116 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1773 | 155,740 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1774 | 156,364 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1775 | 156,988 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1776 | 157,611 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1777 | 158,235 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1778 | 158,858 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1779 | 159,481 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1780 | 160,104 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1781 | 160,752 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1782 | 161,400 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1783 | 162,048 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1784 | 162,695 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1785 | 163,343 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1786 | 163,990 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1787 | 164,637 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1788 | 165,284 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1789 | 165,930 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1790 | 166,577 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1791 | 167,249 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1792 | 167,921 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1793 | 168,593 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1794 | 169,265 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1795 | 169,936 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1796 | 170,607 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1797 | 171,278 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1798 | 171,949 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1799 | 172,620 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1800 | 173,291 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1801 | 173,988 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1802 | 174,685 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1803 | 175,382 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1804 | 176,078 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1805 | 176,774 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1806 | 177,470 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1807 | 178,166 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1808 | 178,862 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1809 | 179,557 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1810 | 180,253 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1811 | 180,975 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1812 | 181,698 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1813 | 182,420 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1814 | 183,142 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1815 | 183,863 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1816 | 184,585 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1817 | 185,306 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1818 | 186,027 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 186,748 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1820 | 187,468 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1821 | 188,058 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1822 | 188,647 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1823 | 189,236 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1824 | 189,825 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1825 | 190,414 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1826 | 191,002 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1827 | 191,590 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1828 | 192,178 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1829 | 192,766 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1830 | 193,354 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1831 | 194,391 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1832 | 195,428 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1833 | 196,465 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1834 | 197,501 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1835 | 198,537 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1836 | 199,572 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1837 | 200,607 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1838 | 201,642 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1839 | 202,676 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1840 | 203,710 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1841 | 204,799 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1842 | 205,888 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1843 | 206,976 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1844 | 208,064 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1845 | 209,151 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1846 | 210,238 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1847 | 211,324 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1848 | 212,410 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1849 | 213,496 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1850 | 214,581 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1851 | 216,357 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1852 | 218,144 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1853 | 219,942 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1854 | 221,752 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1855 | 223,572 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1856 | 225,405 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1857 | 227,248 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1858 | 229,103 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1859 | 230,970 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1860 | 232,848 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1861 | 234,817 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1862 | 236,799 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1863 | 238,793 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1864 | 240,800 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1865 | 242,820 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1866 | 244,852 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1867 | 246,898 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1868 | 248,956 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1869 | 251,028 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1870 | 265,403 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1871 | 267,448 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1872 | 269,496 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1873 | 271,548 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1874 | 273,603 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1875 | 275,660 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1876 | 277,722 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1877 | 279,787 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1878 | 281,854 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1879 | 283,925 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1880 | 286,000 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1881 | 288,478 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1882 | 290,980 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1883 | 293,506 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1884 | 296,055 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1885 | 298,630 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1886 | 301,227 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1887 | 303,850 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1888 | 306,498 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1889 | 309,170 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1890 | 311,868 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1891 | 314,690 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1892 | 317,516 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1893 | 320,348 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1894 | 323,185 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1895 | 326,028 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1896 | 328,876 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1897 | 331,729 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1898 | 334,587 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1899 | 337,451 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1900 | 340,320 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1901 | 346,267 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1902 | 352,424 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1903 | 358,549 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1904 | 364,889 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1905 | 371,323 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1906 | 377,854 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1907 | 384,483 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1908 | 391,211 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1909 | 398,040 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1910 | 404,704 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1911 | 404,882 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1912 | 404,124 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1913 | 403,367 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1914 | 402,610 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1915 | 401,722 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1916 | 400,968 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1917 | 400,214 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1918 | 399,461 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1919 | 398,578 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1920 | 397,827 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1921 | 396,881 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1922 | 397,681 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1923 | 398,539 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1924 | 399,193 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1925 | 399,907 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1926 | 400,679 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1927 | 401,247 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1928 | 401,875 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1929 | 402,563 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1930 | 403,047 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1931 | 403,945 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1932 | 404,827 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1933 | 405,720 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1934 | 406,488 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1935 | 407,258 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1936 | 408,025 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1937 | 408,784 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1938 | 409,397 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1939 | 409,991 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1940 | 410,559 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1941 | 413,676 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1942 | 416,764 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1943 | 419,790 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1944 | 422,887 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1945 | 426,056 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1946 | 429,163 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1947 | 331,053 tonnes | -22.9% |
| 1948 | 332,311 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1949 | 335,287 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1950 | 372,790 tonnes | +11.2% |
| 1951 | 354,188 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1952 | 333,379 tonnes | -5.9% |
| 1953 | 316,411 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1954 | 297,474 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1955 | 293,021 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1956 | 290,927 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1957 | 325,454 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1958 | 320,240 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1959 | 312,218 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1960 | 302,158 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1961 | 298,062 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1962 | 322,234 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1963 | 319,622 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1964 | 348,762 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1965 | 369,245 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1966 | 386,723 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1967 | 375,227 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1968 | 341,458 tonnes | -9.0% |
| 1969 | 357,088 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1970 | 431,578 tonnes | +20.9% |
| 1971 | 502,774 tonnes | +16.5% |
| 1972 | 433,810 tonnes | -13.7% |
| 1973 | 404,257 tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1974 | 425,193 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1975 | 494,046 tonnes | +16.2% |
| 1976 | 491,907 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1977 | 548,842 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1978 | 590,066 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1979 | 702,761 tonnes | +19.1% |
| 1980 | 559,434 tonnes | -20.4% |
| 1981 | 583,136 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1982 | 606,663 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1983 | 686,877 tonnes | +13.2% |
| 1984 | 730,307 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1985 | 655,622 tonnes | -10.2% |
| 1986 | 480,666 tonnes | -26.7% |
| 1987 | 808,352 tonnes | +68.2% |
| 1988 | 729,082 tonnes | -9.8% |
| 1989 | 751,139 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1990 | 1.01 million tonnes | +34.9% |
| 1991 | 983,949 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1992 | 655,098 tonnes | -33.4% |
| 1993 | 662,866 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 657,444 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 565,600 tonnes | -14.0% |
| 1996 | 541,966 tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1997 | 494,244 tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1998 | 472,375 tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1999 | 376,883 tonnes | -20.2% |
| 2000 | 316,638 tonnes | -16.0% |
| 2001 | 325,080 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 281,569 tonnes | -13.4% |
| 2003 | 305,316 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 2004 | 315,256 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 339,395 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 2006 | 356,431 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 2007 | 444,022 tonnes | +24.6% |
| 2008 | 468,575 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 655,042 tonnes | +39.8% |
| 2010 | 818,145 tonnes | +24.9% |
| 2011 | 987,473 tonnes | +20.7% |
| 2012 | 988,075 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 983,524 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2014 | 901,155 tonnes | -8.4% |
| 2015 | 1.09 million tonnes | +21.4% |
| 2016 | 955,828 tonnes | -12.7% |
| 2017 | 982,774 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 1.06 million tonnes | +7.9% |
| 2019 | 1.10 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 2020 | 1.11 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 1.13 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 1.10 million tonnes | -2.5% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 1.10 million tonnes is above the median for low income countries, which is 576,398 tonnes, 1.9× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 1.10 million tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 315,167 tonnes, 3.5× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where emissions of air pollutants in Afghanistan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | +68.2% | 480,666 tonnes | 808,352 tonnes |
| 2009 | +39.8% | 468,575 tonnes | 655,042 tonnes |
| 1990 | +34.9% | 751,139 tonnes | 1.01 million tonnes |
| 1992 | -33.4% | 983,949 tonnes | 655,098 tonnes |
| 1986 | -26.7% | 655,622 tonnes | 480,666 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 144,678 tonnes | 142,073 tonnes | 147,281 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 150,564 tonnes | 147,859 tonnes | 153,267 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 156,675 tonnes | 153,867 tonnes | 159,481 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 163,018 tonnes | 160,104 tonnes | 165,930 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 169,600 tonnes | 166,577 tonnes | 172,620 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 176,425 tonnes | 173,291 tonnes | 179,557 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 183,502 tonnes | 180,253 tonnes | 186,748 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 190,118 tonnes | 187,468 tonnes | 192,766 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 198,017 tonnes | 193,354 tonnes | 202,676 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 208,606 tonnes | 203,710 tonnes | 213,496 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 222,707 tonnes | 214,581 tonnes | 230,970 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 241,861 tonnes | 232,848 tonnes | 251,028 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 274,645 tonnes | 265,403 tonnes | 283,925 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 297,439 tonnes | 286,000 tonnes | 309,170 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 324,628 tonnes | 311,868 tonnes | 337,451 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 368,536 tonnes | 340,320 tonnes | 398,040 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 402,063 tonnes | 398,578 tonnes | 404,882 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 399,639 tonnes | 396,881 tonnes | 402,563 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 406,748 tonnes | 403,047 tonnes | 409,991 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 393,755 tonnes | 331,053 tonnes | 429,163 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 321,610 tonnes | 290,927 tonnes | 372,790 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 342,058 tonnes | 298,062 tonnes | 386,723 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 502,523 tonnes | 404,257 tonnes | 702,761 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 659,128 tonnes | 480,666 tonnes | 808,352 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 642,408 tonnes | 376,883 tonnes | 1.01 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 380,732 tonnes | 281,569 tonnes | 655,042 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 987,646 tonnes | 818,145 tonnes | 1.10 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.12 million tonnes | 1.10 million tonnes | 1.13 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More climate change data for Afghanistan
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 79.22 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 23,854 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 5,965 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 17,889 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 22.51 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 638.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 2,345 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,090 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 1,255 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 4.11 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Afghanistan?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Afghanistan was 1.10 million 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 Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 1.13 million tonnes in 2021.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 142,073 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Afghanistan rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Afghanistan ranks 51st out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan 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
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a pollutant produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as oil, gas, wood, and coal. CO is a harmful gas that contributes to both outdoor and indoor air pollution.