emissions of air pollutants in Malaysia
Malaysia: emissions of air pollutants was 4.68 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
4.68 million tonnes
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
13th
of 220 countries
All-time high
5.56 million tonnes
in 2019
All-time low
8,698 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Malaysia, 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 Malaysia is 4.68 million tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 1.6% on the previous year and up 35.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Malaysia peaked at 5.56 million tonnes in 2019 and was at its lowest, 8,698 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Malaysia 13th 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 8,698 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 8,711 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 8,724 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 8,737 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 8,751 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 8,764 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 8,777 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 8,790 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 8,804 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 8,817 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1760 | 8,830 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1761 | 8,843 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1762 | 8,856 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1763 | 8,869 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1764 | 8,883 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1765 | 8,896 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1766 | 8,909 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1767 | 8,922 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1768 | 8,935 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1769 | 8,948 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1770 | 8,961 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1771 | 8,974 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1772 | 8,987 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1773 | 9,000 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1774 | 9,013 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1775 | 9,026 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1776 | 9,039 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1777 | 9,052 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1778 | 9,065 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1779 | 9,078 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1780 | 9,091 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1781 | 9,104 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1782 | 9,117 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1783 | 9,130 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1784 | 9,143 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1785 | 9,156 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1786 | 9,169 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1787 | 9,181 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1788 | 9,194 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1789 | 9,207 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1790 | 9,220 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1791 | 9,232 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1792 | 9,245 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1793 | 9,258 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1794 | 9,270 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1795 | 9,283 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1796 | 9,296 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1797 | 9,308 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1798 | 9,321 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1799 | 9,333 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1800 | 9,346 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1801 | 9,358 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1802 | 9,371 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1803 | 9,383 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1804 | 9,395 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1805 | 9,408 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1806 | 9,420 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1807 | 9,432 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1808 | 9,445 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 9,457 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 9,469 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 9,481 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 9,493 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 9,505 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 9,517 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 9,529 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1816 | 9,541 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1817 | 9,553 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1818 | 9,565 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 9,577 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1820 | 9,589 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1821 | 9,757 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1822 | 9,925 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1823 | 10,093 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1824 | 10,261 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1825 | 10,428 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1826 | 10,595 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1827 | 10,762 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1828 | 10,929 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1829 | 11,095 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1830 | 11,261 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1831 | 11,535 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1832 | 11,808 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1833 | 12,081 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1834 | 12,353 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1835 | 12,625 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1836 | 12,896 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1837 | 13,167 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1838 | 13,438 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1839 | 13,708 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1840 | 13,978 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1841 | 14,317 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1842 | 14,655 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1843 | 14,992 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1844 | 15,329 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1845 | 15,665 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1846 | 16,001 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1847 | 16,336 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1848 | 16,671 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1849 | 17,005 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1850 | 17,338 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1851 | 17,700 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1852 | 18,070 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1853 | 18,447 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1854 | 18,832 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1855 | 19,225 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1856 | 19,626 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1857 | 20,036 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1858 | 20,454 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1859 | 20,880 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1860 | 21,316 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1861 | 21,761 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1862 | 22,215 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1863 | 22,679 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1864 | 23,152 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1865 | 23,635 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1866 | 24,128 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1867 | 24,632 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1868 | 25,146 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1869 | 25,671 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1870 | 26,268 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1871 | 27,167 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1872 | 28,097 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1873 | 29,058 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1874 | 30,051 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1875 | 31,280 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1876 | 32,878 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1877 | 34,490 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1878 | 36,116 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1879 | 37,757 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1880 | 39,414 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1881 | 40,196 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1882 | 40,997 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1883 | 41,770 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1884 | 42,562 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1885 | 43,984 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1886 | 45,531 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1887 | 47,216 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1888 | 48,873 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1889 | 50,587 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1890 | 52,372 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1891 | 54,188 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1892 | 56,066 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1893 | 58,008 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1894 | 60,019 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1895 | 62,099 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1896 | 64,273 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1897 | 66,522 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1898 | 68,827 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1899 | 71,212 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1900 | 73,680 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1901 | 76,301 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1902 | 79,063 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1903 | 81,935 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1904 | 84,987 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1905 | 88,155 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1906 | 91,427 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1907 | 94,814 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1908 | 98,318 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1909 | 101,977 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1910 | 105,535 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1911 | 109,306 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1912 | 112,870 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1913 | 116,985 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1914 | 121,849 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1915 | 125,916 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1916 | 131,470 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1917 | 134,460 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1918 | 138,008 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1919 | 142,471 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1920 | 149,701 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1921 | 156,644 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1922 | 172,067 tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1923 | 184,784 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1924 | 185,173 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1925 | 195,828 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1926 | 205,676 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1927 | 210,138 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1928 | 216,896 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1929 | 221,742 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1930 | 223,009 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1931 | 219,155 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1932 | 214,090 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1933 | 218,026 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1934 | 220,650 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1935 | 224,365 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1936 | 227,948 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1937 | 233,054 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1938 | 238,408 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1939 | 242,601 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1940 | 247,944 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1941 | 252,484 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1942 | 249,991 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1943 | 252,680 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1944 | 255,312 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1945 | 257,940 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1946 | 260,520 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1947 | 264,270 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1948 | 272,400 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1949 | 280,679 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1950 | 301,379 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1951 | 311,533 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1952 | 323,837 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1953 | 336,121 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1954 | 348,306 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1955 | 359,145 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1956 | 372,919 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1957 | 427,895 tonnes | +14.7% |
| 1958 | 445,995 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1959 | 449,937 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1960 | 476,500 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1961 | 494,676 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1962 | 509,074 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1963 | 534,933 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1964 | 565,896 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1965 | 586,506 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1966 | 607,869 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1967 | 613,523 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1968 | 619,227 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1969 | 600,617 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1970 | 666,556 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1971 | 838,267 tonnes | +25.8% |
| 1972 | 669,628 tonnes | -20.1% |
| 1973 | 700,077 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 720,897 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1975 | 738,032 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1976 | 773,929 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1977 | 760,271 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1978 | 783,155 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1979 | 833,293 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1980 | 879,154 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1981 | 917,727 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1982 | 961,305 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1983 | 1.04 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1984 | 1.09 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1985 | 1.14 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1986 | 1.18 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1987 | 1.22 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 1.27 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1989 | 1.34 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1990 | 1.44 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1991 | 1.54 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1992 | 1.63 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1993 | 1.76 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1994 | 1.91 million tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1995 | 1.98 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1996 | 2.20 million tonnes | +11.3% |
| 1997 | 2.35 million tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1998 | 2.42 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1999 | 2.71 million tonnes | +11.8% |
| 2000 | 2.65 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 2001 | 2.76 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 2002 | 2.88 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 3.03 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 2004 | 3.18 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 2005 | 3.27 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2006 | 3.40 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 3.53 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 3.72 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 3.56 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 2010 | 3.74 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 3.33 million tonnes | -11.0% |
| 2012 | 3.45 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2013 | 4.52 million tonnes | +31.1% |
| 2014 | 4.64 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 4.54 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2016 | 4.85 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 2017 | 4.71 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 4.57 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 5.56 million tonnes | +21.5% |
| 2020 | 4.91 million tonnes | -11.6% |
| 2021 | 4.76 million tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2022 | 4.68 million tonnes | -1.6% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 4.68 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 286,757 tonnes, 16.3× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 4.68 million tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 179,591 tonnes, 26.1× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where emissions of air pollutants in Malaysia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +31.1% | 3.45 million tonnes | 4.52 million tonnes |
| 1971 | +25.8% | 666,556 tonnes | 838,267 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 8,757 tonnes | 8,698 tonnes | 8,817 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 8,889 tonnes | 8,830 tonnes | 8,948 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 9,020 tonnes | 8,961 tonnes | 9,078 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 9,149 tonnes | 9,091 tonnes | 9,207 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 9,277 tonnes | 9,220 tonnes | 9,333 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 9,402 tonnes | 9,346 tonnes | 9,457 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 9,523 tonnes | 9,469 tonnes | 9,577 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 10,343 tonnes | 9,589 tonnes | 11,095 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 12,487 tonnes | 11,261 tonnes | 13,708 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 15,495 tonnes | 13,978 tonnes | 17,005 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 19,061 tonnes | 17,338 tonnes | 20,880 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 23,434 tonnes | 21,316 tonnes | 25,671 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 31,316 tonnes | 26,268 tonnes | 37,757 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 44,113 tonnes | 39,414 tonnes | 50,587 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 61,359 tonnes | 52,372 tonnes | 71,212 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 87,066 tonnes | 73,680 tonnes | 101,977 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 123,887 tonnes | 105,535 tonnes | 142,471 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 189,865 tonnes | 149,701 tonnes | 221,742 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 226,131 tonnes | 214,090 tonnes | 242,601 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 259,422 tonnes | 247,944 tonnes | 280,679 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 367,707 tonnes | 301,379 tonnes | 449,937 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 560,882 tonnes | 476,500 tonnes | 619,227 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 748,410 tonnes | 666,556 tonnes | 838,267 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.10 million tonnes | 879,154 tonnes | 1.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.99 million tonnes | 1.44 million tonnes | 2.71 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.20 million tonnes | 2.65 million tonnes | 3.72 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.39 million tonnes | 3.33 million tonnes | 5.56 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.78 million tonnes | 4.68 million tonnes | 4.91 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More climate change data for Malaysia
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 621.79 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 4,551 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,936 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 2,616 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7.31 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 93.41 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 7,214 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 3,641 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 3,573 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 13.74 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Malaysia?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Malaysia was 4.68 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 5.56 million tonnes in 2019.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,698 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Malaysia rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Malaysia ranks 13th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.