emissions of air pollutants in Malawi
Malawi: emissions of air pollutants was 528,084 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
528,084 tonnes
Change on year
up 1.2%
World rank
76th
of 220 countries
All-time high
528,084 tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
25,019 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Malawi, 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 Malawi stood at 528,084 tonnes. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.2% on the previous year and up 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Malawi peaked at 528,084 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 25,019 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Malawi 76th 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 Malawi, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 25,019 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 25,026 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 25,033 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 25,040 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 25,047 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 25,054 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 25,061 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 25,068 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 25,075 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 25,082 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 25,089 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 25,096 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 25,103 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 25,110 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 25,117 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 25,124 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 25,131 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 25,138 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 25,144 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 25,151 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 25,158 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 25,165 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 25,172 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 25,178 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 25,185 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 25,192 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 25,199 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 25,206 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 25,212 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 25,219 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 25,226 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 25,232 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 25,239 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 25,246 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 25,252 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 25,259 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 25,266 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 25,272 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 25,279 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 25,285 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 25,292 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 25,298 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 25,305 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 25,311 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 25,318 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 25,324 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 25,331 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 25,337 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 25,344 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 25,350 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 25,356 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 25,363 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 25,369 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 25,375 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 25,382 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 25,388 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 25,394 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 25,400 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 25,407 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 25,413 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 25,419 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 25,438 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 25,457 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 25,476 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 25,495 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 25,514 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1816 | 25,533 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1817 | 25,552 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1818 | 25,571 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 25,590 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1820 | 25,609 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1821 | 25,628 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1822 | 25,646 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1823 | 25,665 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1824 | 25,684 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1825 | 25,703 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1826 | 25,722 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1827 | 25,741 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1828 | 25,760 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1829 | 25,778 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1830 | 25,797 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1831 | 25,816 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1832 | 25,835 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1833 | 25,853 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1834 | 25,872 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1835 | 25,891 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 25,910 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1837 | 25,928 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1838 | 25,947 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1839 | 25,966 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1840 | 25,984 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1841 | 26,003 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1842 | 26,022 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1843 | 26,040 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1844 | 26,059 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1845 | 26,077 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1846 | 26,096 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1847 | 26,114 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1848 | 26,133 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1849 | 26,151 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1850 | 26,170 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1851 | 26,222 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1852 | 26,274 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1853 | 26,328 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1854 | 26,382 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1855 | 26,437 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1856 | 26,494 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1857 | 26,551 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1858 | 26,609 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1859 | 26,702 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1860 | 27,372 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1861 | 28,060 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1862 | 28,765 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1863 | 29,487 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1864 | 30,228 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1865 | 30,987 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1866 | 31,766 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1867 | 32,563 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1868 | 33,381 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1869 | 34,220 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1870 | 35,080 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1871 | 39,287 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1872 | 40,195 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1873 | 41,125 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1874 | 42,079 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1875 | 43,056 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1876 | 44,058 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1877 | 45,085 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1878 | 46,138 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1879 | 47,217 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1880 | 48,323 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1881 | 49,456 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1882 | 50,618 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1883 | 51,810 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1884 | 53,030 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1885 | 54,282 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1886 | 55,564 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1887 | 56,879 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1888 | 58,226 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1889 | 59,608 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1890 | 58,839 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1891 | 60,406 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1892 | 62,016 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1893 | 63,672 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1894 | 65,375 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1895 | 67,125 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1896 | 68,923 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1897 | 70,772 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1898 | 72,672 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1899 | 74,626 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1900 | 76,634 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1901 | 78,706 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1902 | 86,513 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1903 | 95,128 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1904 | 104,635 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1905 | 87,716 tonnes | -16.2% |
| 1906 | 98,375 tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1907 | 98,308 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1908 | 100,491 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1909 | 105,537 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1910 | 98,006 tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1911 | 102,917 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1912 | 106,296 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1913 | 108,448 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1914 | 113,058 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1915 | 115,622 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1916 | 120,748 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1917 | 120,755 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1918 | 130,188 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1919 | 129,070 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1920 | 127,643 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1921 | 127,769 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1922 | 126,867 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1923 | 124,939 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1924 | 129,167 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1925 | 129,291 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1926 | 137,731 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1927 | 136,830 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1928 | 142,091 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1929 | 145,300 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1930 | 148,614 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1931 | 170,143 tonnes | +14.5% |
| 1932 | 171,326 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1933 | 171,499 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1934 | 170,653 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1935 | 170,828 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1936 | 173,045 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1937 | 175,586 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1938 | 179,048 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1939 | 180,467 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1940 | 181,053 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1941 | 184,652 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1942 | 214,494 tonnes | +16.2% |
| 1943 | 218,851 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1944 | 223,177 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1945 | 220,461 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1946 | 226,021 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1947 | 231,561 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1948 | 236,081 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1949 | 242,642 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1950 | 266,845 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1951 | 259,827 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1952 | 252,054 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1953 | 244,126 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1954 | 235,948 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1955 | 227,677 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1956 | 219,748 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1957 | 210,990 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1958 | 202,438 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1959 | 192,856 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1960 | 183,314 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1961 | 173,282 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1962 | 163,604 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1963 | 153,150 tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1964 | 142,281 tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1965 | 131,871 tonnes | -7.3% |
| 1966 | 136,678 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1967 | 139,707 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1968 | 143,327 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1969 | 146,264 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1970 | 152,878 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1971 | 156,819 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 163,906 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1973 | 169,025 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1974 | 171,246 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1975 | 180,618 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1976 | 187,086 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1977 | 194,302 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1978 | 201,027 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1979 | 205,651 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 214,146 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1981 | 219,076 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1982 | 225,205 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 229,411 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1984 | 236,773 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 246,907 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1986 | 264,319 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1987 | 280,314 tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1988 | 299,323 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1989 | 312,625 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 371,175 tonnes | +18.7% |
| 1991 | 378,004 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1992 | 375,348 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 345,559 tonnes | -7.9% |
| 1994 | 388,781 tonnes | +12.5% |
| 1995 | 379,266 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1996 | 369,670 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1997 | 364,451 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 367,863 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 377,636 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 404,513 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2001 | 407,521 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 410,920 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 415,504 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 420,443 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 429,035 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 437,058 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 445,756 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 455,126 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 463,721 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 473,235 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 479,705 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 493,626 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2013 | 498,170 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 499,474 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 495,576 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 2016 | 492,780 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 499,354 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 496,351 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 504,602 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 511,940 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 521,763 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 528,084 tonnes | +1.2% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 528,084 tonnes is below the median for low income countries, which is 576,398 tonnes, 92% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 528,084 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 552,241 tonnes, 96% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 25,051 tonnes | 25,019 tonnes | 25,082 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 25,120 tonnes | 25,089 tonnes | 25,151 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 25,189 tonnes | 25,158 tonnes | 25,219 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 25,256 tonnes | 25,226 tonnes | 25,285 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 25,321 tonnes | 25,292 tonnes | 25,350 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 25,385 tonnes | 25,356 tonnes | 25,413 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 25,505 tonnes | 25,419 tonnes | 25,590 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 25,694 tonnes | 25,609 tonnes | 25,778 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 25,881 tonnes | 25,797 tonnes | 25,966 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 26,068 tonnes | 25,984 tonnes | 26,151 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 26,417 tonnes | 26,170 tonnes | 26,702 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 30,683 tonnes | 27,372 tonnes | 34,220 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 42,332 tonnes | 35,080 tonnes | 47,217 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 53,780 tonnes | 48,323 tonnes | 59,608 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 66,443 tonnes | 58,839 tonnes | 74,626 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 93,204 tonnes | 76,634 tonnes | 105,537 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 114,511 tonnes | 98,006 tonnes | 130,188 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 132,763 tonnes | 124,939 tonnes | 145,300 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 171,121 tonnes | 148,614 tonnes | 180,467 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 217,899 tonnes | 181,053 tonnes | 242,642 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 231,251 tonnes | 192,856 tonnes | 266,845 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 151,348 tonnes | 131,871 tonnes | 183,314 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 178,256 tonnes | 152,878 tonnes | 205,651 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 252,810 tonnes | 214,146 tonnes | 312,625 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 371,775 tonnes | 345,559 tonnes | 388,781 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 428,960 tonnes | 404,513 tonnes | 463,721 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 493,287 tonnes | 473,235 tonnes | 504,602 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 520,596 tonnes | 511,940 tonnes | 528,084 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More climate change data for Malawi
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 415.04 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 4,106 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,605 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 2,501 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 6.06 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 89.31 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 3,185 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,819 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 366.56 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 10.64 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Malawi?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Malawi was 528,084 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 528,084 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 25,019 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Malawi rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Malawi ranks 76th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi 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.