emissions of air pollutants in China
China: emissions of air pollutants was 131.31 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
131.31 million tonnes
Change on year
down 2.3%
World rank
1st
of 220 countries
All-time high
215.31 million tonnes
in 2006
All-time low
17.59 million tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in China, 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 China stood at 131.31 million tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.3% on the previous year and down 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in China peaked at 215.31 million tonnes in 2006 and was at its lowest, 17.59 million tonnes, in 1750.
That places China 1st out of 220 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
emissions of air pollutants in China, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 17.59 million tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 17.64 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1752 | 17.69 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1753 | 17.74 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1754 | 17.79 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1755 | 17.84 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1756 | 17.89 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1757 | 17.94 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1758 | 17.99 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1759 | 18.04 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1760 | 18.09 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1761 | 18.12 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1762 | 18.14 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1763 | 18.16 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1764 | 18.19 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1765 | 18.21 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1766 | 18.23 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1767 | 18.25 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1768 | 18.28 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1769 | 18.30 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1770 | 18.32 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1771 | 18.79 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1772 | 19.26 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1773 | 19.72 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1774 | 20.19 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1775 | 20.66 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1776 | 21.12 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1777 | 21.59 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1778 | 22.05 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1779 | 22.52 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1780 | 22.98 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1781 | 23.09 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1782 | 23.20 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1783 | 23.31 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1784 | 23.42 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1785 | 23.52 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1786 | 23.63 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1787 | 23.74 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1788 | 23.85 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1789 | 23.95 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1790 | 24.06 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1791 | 23.93 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1792 | 23.79 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1793 | 23.66 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1794 | 23.53 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1795 | 23.39 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1796 | 23.26 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1797 | 23.12 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1798 | 22.99 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1799 | 22.86 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1800 | 22.72 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1801 | 23.02 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1802 | 23.31 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1803 | 23.60 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1804 | 23.90 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1805 | 24.19 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1806 | 24.48 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1807 | 24.77 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1808 | 25.07 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1809 | 25.36 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1810 | 25.65 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1811 | 25.61 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1812 | 25.58 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1813 | 25.54 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1814 | 25.51 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1815 | 25.47 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1816 | 25.44 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1817 | 25.40 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1818 | 25.37 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1819 | 25.33 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1820 | 25.30 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1821 | 25.47 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1822 | 25.65 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1823 | 25.82 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1824 | 26.00 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1825 | 26.18 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1826 | 26.35 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1827 | 26.53 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1828 | 26.70 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1829 | 26.88 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1830 | 27.05 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1831 | 27.05 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1832 | 27.05 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1833 | 27.05 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1834 | 27.05 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1835 | 27.05 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1836 | 27.04 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1837 | 27.04 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1838 | 27.04 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1839 | 27.04 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1840 | 27.04 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1841 | 27.04 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1842 | 27.03 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1843 | 27.03 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1844 | 27.03 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1845 | 27.03 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1846 | 27.02 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1847 | 27.02 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1848 | 27.02 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1849 | 27.02 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1850 | 27.01 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1851 | 26.78 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1852 | 26.54 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1853 | 26.31 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1854 | 26.07 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1855 | 25.85 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1856 | 25.62 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1857 | 25.39 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1858 | 25.17 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1859 | 24.95 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1860 | 24.73 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1861 | 24.60 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1862 | 24.47 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1863 | 24.35 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1864 | 24.22 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1865 | 24.10 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1866 | 23.98 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1867 | 23.85 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1868 | 23.73 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1869 | 23.61 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1870 | 23.49 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1871 | 23.55 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1872 | 23.62 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1873 | 23.68 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1874 | 23.75 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1875 | 23.82 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1876 | 23.88 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1877 | 23.95 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1878 | 24.01 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1879 | 24.08 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1880 | 24.14 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1881 | 24.22 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1882 | 24.30 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1883 | 24.37 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1884 | 24.45 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1885 | 24.53 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1886 | 24.60 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1887 | 24.68 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1888 | 24.76 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1889 | 24.84 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1890 | 24.92 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1891 | 25.04 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1892 | 25.17 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1893 | 25.29 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1894 | 25.42 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1895 | 25.55 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1896 | 25.68 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1897 | 25.81 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1898 | 25.93 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1899 | 26.06 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1900 | 26.19 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1901 | 26.34 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1902 | 26.49 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1903 | 26.65 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1904 | 26.80 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1905 | 26.96 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1906 | 27.18 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1907 | 27.33 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1908 | 27.52 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1909 | 27.68 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1910 | 27.83 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1911 | 28.26 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1912 | 28.46 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1913 | 28.81 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1914 | 29.21 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1915 | 29.58 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1916 | 29.93 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1917 | 30.28 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1918 | 30.62 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1919 | 31.00 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1920 | 31.37 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1921 | 31.47 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1922 | 31.62 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1923 | 31.83 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1924 | 32.00 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1925 | 32.09 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1926 | 32.16 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1927 | 32.34 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1928 | 32.47 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1929 | 32.62 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1930 | 32.79 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1931 | 33.07 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1932 | 33.29 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1933 | 33.59 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1934 | 33.89 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1935 | 34.22 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1936 | 34.49 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1937 | 34.56 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1938 | 34.65 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1939 | 35.02 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1940 | 35.52 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1941 | 36.19 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1942 | 36.64 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1943 | 36.53 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1944 | 36.82 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1945 | 36.06 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1946 | 35.76 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1947 | 35.96 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1948 | 35.93 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1949 | 36.79 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1950 | 37.29 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1951 | 39.24 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1952 | 41.33 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1953 | 43.13 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1954 | 45.54 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1955 | 48.02 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1956 | 50.49 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1957 | 53.35 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1958 | 61.06 million tonnes | +14.5% |
| 1959 | 67.47 million tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1960 | 70.12 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1961 | 66.50 million tonnes | -5.2% |
| 1962 | 65.89 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1963 | 68.60 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1964 | 70.95 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1965 | 74.40 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1966 | 77.58 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1967 | 76.61 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1968 | 79.81 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1969 | 85.26 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1970 | 93.37 million tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1971 | 98.64 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1972 | 102.34 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 105.32 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1974 | 107.93 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 114.03 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1976 | 115.75 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1977 | 121.32 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1978 | 126.59 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1979 | 129.23 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 131.53 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 132.56 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1982 | 136.05 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1983 | 140.36 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1984 | 145.59 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1985 | 153.12 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1986 | 157.35 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1987 | 162.80 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1988 | 168.97 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1989 | 170.81 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1990 | 171.10 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1991 | 179.95 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1992 | 184.65 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 193.85 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1994 | 193.63 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 198.85 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 194.29 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1997 | 202.19 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1998 | 197.39 million tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1999 | 196.32 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 197.77 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 194.01 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 2002 | 190.92 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2003 | 199.22 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2004 | 206.84 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 2005 | 212.41 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 215.31 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 211.56 million tonnes | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 201.03 million tonnes | -5.0% |
| 2009 | 202.76 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 200.86 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 2011 | 198.53 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 196.54 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 194.26 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 2014 | 181.69 million tonnes | -6.5% |
| 2015 | 170.75 million tonnes | -6.0% |
| 2016 | 159.17 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 2017 | 153.03 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 146.72 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 2019 | 139.49 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2020 | 136.64 million tonnes | -2.0% |
| 2021 | 134.39 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 131.31 million tonnes | -2.3% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 131.31 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 286,757 tonnes, 457.9× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- China's 131.31 million tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 179,591 tonnes, 731.1× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 17.82 million tonnes | 17.59 million tonnes | 18.04 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 18.20 million tonnes | 18.09 million tonnes | 18.30 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 20.42 million tonnes | 18.32 million tonnes | 22.52 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 23.47 million tonnes | 22.98 million tonnes | 23.95 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 23.46 million tonnes | 22.86 million tonnes | 24.06 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 24.04 million tonnes | 22.72 million tonnes | 25.36 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 25.49 million tonnes | 25.33 million tonnes | 25.65 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 26.09 million tonnes | 25.30 million tonnes | 26.88 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 27.05 million tonnes | 27.04 million tonnes | 27.05 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 27.03 million tonnes | 27.02 million tonnes | 27.04 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 25.97 million tonnes | 24.95 million tonnes | 27.01 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 24.16 million tonnes | 23.61 million tonnes | 24.73 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 23.78 million tonnes | 23.49 million tonnes | 24.08 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 24.49 million tonnes | 24.14 million tonnes | 24.84 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 25.49 million tonnes | 24.92 million tonnes | 26.06 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 26.91 million tonnes | 26.19 million tonnes | 27.68 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 29.40 million tonnes | 27.83 million tonnes | 31.00 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 32.00 million tonnes | 31.37 million tonnes | 32.62 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 33.96 million tonnes | 32.79 million tonnes | 35.02 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 36.22 million tonnes | 35.52 million tonnes | 36.82 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 48.69 million tonnes | 37.29 million tonnes | 67.47 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 73.57 million tonnes | 65.89 million tonnes | 85.26 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 111.45 million tonnes | 93.37 million tonnes | 129.23 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 149.91 million tonnes | 131.53 million tonnes | 170.81 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 191.22 million tonnes | 171.10 million tonnes | 202.19 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 203.18 million tonnes | 190.92 million tonnes | 215.31 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 174.11 million tonnes | 139.49 million tonnes | 200.86 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 134.11 million tonnes | 131.31 million tonnes | 136.64 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near China
More climate change data for China
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 31.25 billion kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 604,831 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 191,478 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 413,353 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 722.56 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 14,763 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 342,069 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 200,605 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 141,464 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 757 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in China?
- Emissions of air pollutants in China was 131.31 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 215.31 million tonnes in 2006.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.59 million tonnes in 1750.
- How does China rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- China ranks 1st out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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.