emissions of air pollutants in Ghana
Ghana: emissions of air pollutants was 1.09 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.09 million tonnes
Change on year
up 1.2%
World rank
52nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.14 million tonnes
in 1999
All-time low
51,485 tonnes
in 1810
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Ghana, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for emissions of air pollutants in Ghana is 1.09 million tonnes, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 32.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Ghana peaked at 1.14 million tonnes in 1999 and was at its lowest, 51,485 tonnes, in 1810.
Ghana ranks 52nd 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.
emissions of air pollutants in Ghana, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 58,975 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 58,846 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1752 | 58,718 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1753 | 58,589 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1754 | 58,460 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1755 | 58,332 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1756 | 58,204 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1757 | 58,075 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1758 | 57,947 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1759 | 57,819 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1760 | 57,691 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1761 | 57,564 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1762 | 57,436 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1763 | 57,310 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1764 | 57,182 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1765 | 57,056 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1766 | 56,929 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1767 | 56,802 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1768 | 56,675 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1769 | 56,549 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1770 | 56,422 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1771 | 56,296 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1772 | 56,171 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1773 | 56,045 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1774 | 55,920 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1775 | 55,794 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1776 | 55,669 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1777 | 55,544 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1778 | 55,419 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1779 | 55,293 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1780 | 55,168 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1781 | 55,044 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1782 | 54,920 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1783 | 54,796 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1784 | 54,672 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1785 | 54,548 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1786 | 54,424 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1787 | 54,300 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1788 | 54,176 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1789 | 54,052 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1790 | 53,928 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1791 | 53,805 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1792 | 53,682 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1793 | 53,559 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1794 | 53,436 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1795 | 53,314 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1796 | 53,191 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1797 | 53,068 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1798 | 52,946 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1799 | 52,823 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1800 | 52,701 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1801 | 52,579 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1802 | 52,457 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1803 | 52,335 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1804 | 52,214 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1805 | 52,092 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1806 | 51,970 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1807 | 51,849 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1808 | 51,728 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1809 | 51,606 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1810 | 51,485 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1811 | 51,508 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 51,531 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 51,555 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 51,578 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 51,601 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 51,624 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 51,647 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 51,670 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 51,693 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 51,716 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 51,737 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 51,759 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 51,780 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 51,801 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 51,822 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 51,844 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 51,865 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 51,886 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 51,907 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 51,928 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 51,947 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 51,966 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 51,985 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 52,004 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 52,024 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 52,043 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 52,062 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 52,080 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 52,099 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 52,118 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 52,135 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 52,152 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 52,169 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 52,185 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 52,202 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 52,219 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 52,235 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 52,252 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 52,268 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 52,264 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1851 | 52,519 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1852 | 52,552 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 52,586 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 52,619 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 52,653 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 52,701 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 52,748 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 52,796 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 52,844 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 52,892 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 52,976 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1862 | 53,059 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1863 | 53,143 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1864 | 53,226 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1865 | 53,310 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1866 | 53,408 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1867 | 53,506 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1868 | 53,603 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1869 | 53,701 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1870 | 53,798 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1871 | 53,982 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1872 | 54,384 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1873 | 54,805 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1874 | 55,247 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1875 | 55,713 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1876 | 56,203 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1877 | 58,725 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1878 | 63,266 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1879 | 68,187 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1880 | 73,521 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1881 | 79,332 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1882 | 85,631 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1883 | 92,458 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1884 | 99,860 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1885 | 107,885 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1886 | 116,588 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1887 | 117,752 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1888 | 118,926 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1889 | 120,109 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1890 | 121,303 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1891 | 122,535 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1892 | 122,721 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1893 | 122,907 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1894 | 123,093 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1895 | 123,279 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1896 | 123,466 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1897 | 123,892 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1898 | 124,318 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1899 | 124,746 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1900 | 125,174 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1901 | 126,166 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1902 | 130,299 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1903 | 134,553 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1904 | 138,931 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1905 | 143,436 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1906 | 148,107 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1907 | 146,115 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1908 | 144,200 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1909 | 142,363 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1910 | 140,601 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1911 | 139,065 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1912 | 160,771 tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1913 | 186,069 tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1914 | 188,113 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1915 | 190,189 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1916 | 192,643 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1917 | 195,148 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1918 | 197,704 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1919 | 200,310 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1920 | 202,968 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1921 | 221,813 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1922 | 226,179 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1923 | 230,620 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1924 | 235,138 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1925 | 239,732 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1926 | 244,527 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1927 | 249,405 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1928 | 264,385 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1929 | 280,269 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1930 | 297,114 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1931 | 314,981 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1932 | 321,682 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1933 | 328,520 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1934 | 335,411 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1935 | 342,526 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1936 | 349,880 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1937 | 358,099 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1938 | 365,441 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1939 | 373,606 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1940 | 381,386 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1941 | 387,263 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1942 | 393,220 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1943 | 399,168 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1944 | 405,197 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1945 | 411,307 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1946 | 415,026 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1947 | 418,923 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1948 | 420,615 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1949 | 427,196 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1950 | 436,385 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1951 | 440,693 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1952 | 443,596 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1953 | 448,077 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1954 | 449,117 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1955 | 454,671 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1956 | 456,248 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1957 | 464,032 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1958 | 468,207 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1959 | 470,490 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1960 | 476,433 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1961 | 475,909 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1962 | 480,743 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 487,803 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1964 | 487,603 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1965 | 491,551 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1966 | 496,333 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1967 | 511,152 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1968 | 527,141 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1969 | 536,683 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 539,491 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1971 | 535,606 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1972 | 570,796 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1973 | 610,372 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1974 | 642,595 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1975 | 664,616 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 685,989 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1977 | 712,154 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1978 | 727,572 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1979 | 736,020 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 760,325 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 779,880 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1982 | 785,770 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1983 | 793,589 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1984 | 814,644 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 844,041 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1986 | 877,920 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1987 | 910,393 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 944,869 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1989 | 985,902 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1990 | 1.01 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1991 | 1.04 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1992 | 1.08 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1993 | 1.10 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 1.11 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 1.12 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 1.12 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 1.13 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 1.13 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1999 | 1.14 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 1.13 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 2001 | 1.05 million tonnes | -6.4% |
| 2002 | 981,732 tonnes | -6.8% |
| 2003 | 899,623 tonnes | -8.4% |
| 2004 | 855,983 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2005 | 807,965 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 2006 | 796,680 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2007 | 798,590 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 712,032 tonnes | -10.8% |
| 2009 | 736,815 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 736,849 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 789,234 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2012 | 820,775 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 2013 | 857,164 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 909,960 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 2015 | 913,494 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 901,952 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 939,204 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2018 | 968,328 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 990,579 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 1.01 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 1.07 million tonnes | +6.9% |
| 2022 | 1.09 million tonnes | +1.2% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 1.09 million tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 486,552 tonnes, 2.2× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 1.09 million tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 552,241 tonnes, 2.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 58,396 tonnes | 57,819 tonnes | 58,975 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 57,119 tonnes | 56,549 tonnes | 57,691 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 55,857 tonnes | 55,293 tonnes | 56,422 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 54,610 tonnes | 54,052 tonnes | 55,168 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 53,375 tonnes | 52,823 tonnes | 53,928 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 52,153 tonnes | 51,606 tonnes | 52,701 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 51,589 tonnes | 51,485 tonnes | 51,693 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 51,812 tonnes | 51,716 tonnes | 51,907 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 52,014 tonnes | 51,928 tonnes | 52,099 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 52,194 tonnes | 52,118 tonnes | 52,268 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 52,628 tonnes | 52,264 tonnes | 52,844 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 53,282 tonnes | 52,892 tonnes | 53,701 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 57,431 tonnes | 53,798 tonnes | 68,187 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 101,206 tonnes | 73,521 tonnes | 120,109 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 123,226 tonnes | 121,303 tonnes | 124,746 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 137,934 tonnes | 125,174 tonnes | 148,107 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 179,061 tonnes | 139,065 tonnes | 200,310 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 239,504 tonnes | 202,968 tonnes | 280,269 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 338,726 tonnes | 297,114 tonnes | 373,606 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 405,930 tonnes | 381,386 tonnes | 427,196 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 453,152 tonnes | 436,385 tonnes | 470,490 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 497,135 tonnes | 475,909 tonnes | 536,683 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 642,521 tonnes | 535,606 tonnes | 736,020 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 849,733 tonnes | 760,325 tonnes | 985,902 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.10 million tonnes | 1.01 million tonnes | 1.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 876,839 tonnes | 712,032 tonnes | 1.13 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 882,754 tonnes | 736,849 tonnes | 990,579 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.06 million tonnes | 1.01 million tonnes | 1.09 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More climate change data for Ghana
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 63.84 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 6,671 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,693 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 3,979 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 10.16 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 142.09 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 1,417 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 670.16 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 746.8 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 2.53 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Ghana?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Ghana was 1.09 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 Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 1.14 million tonnes in 1999.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 51,485 tonnes in 1810.
- How does Ghana rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Ghana ranks 52nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana 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.