emissions of air pollutants in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: emissions of air pollutants was 444,930 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
444,930 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.8%
World rank
87th
of 220 countries
All-time high
451,342 tonnes
in 2014
All-time low
16,739 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Sierra Leone, 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 Sierra Leone stood at 444,930 tonnes.
That represents a change of up 0.8% on the previous year and down 0.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Sierra Leone peaked at 451,342 tonnes in 2014 and was at its lowest, 16,739 tonnes, in 1750.
That places Sierra Leone 87th 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 Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 16,739 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 16,743 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 16,747 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 16,750 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 16,754 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 16,758 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 16,762 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 16,766 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 16,770 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 16,773 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 16,777 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 16,781 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 16,785 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 16,788 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 16,792 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 16,796 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 16,799 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 16,803 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 16,807 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 16,810 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 16,814 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 16,818 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 16,821 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 16,825 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 16,828 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 16,832 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 16,835 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 16,839 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 16,842 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 16,846 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 16,849 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 16,852 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 16,856 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 16,859 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 16,862 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 16,866 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 16,869 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 16,872 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 16,876 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 16,879 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 16,882 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 16,885 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 16,888 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 16,891 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 16,894 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 16,898 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 16,901 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 16,904 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 16,907 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 16,910 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 16,913 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 16,916 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 16,919 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 16,922 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 16,924 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 16,927 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 16,930 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 16,933 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 16,936 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 16,938 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 16,941 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 16,952 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 16,964 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 16,975 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 16,986 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 16,997 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1816 | 17,008 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1817 | 17,019 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1818 | 17,030 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 17,042 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1820 | 17,053 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1821 | 17,064 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1822 | 17,074 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1823 | 17,085 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1824 | 17,096 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1825 | 17,107 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1826 | 17,118 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1827 | 17,129 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1828 | 17,140 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1829 | 17,151 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1830 | 17,162 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1831 | 17,172 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1832 | 17,183 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1833 | 17,194 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1834 | 17,204 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1835 | 17,215 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 17,225 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1837 | 17,236 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1838 | 17,247 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1839 | 17,257 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1840 | 17,268 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1841 | 17,278 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1842 | 17,288 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1843 | 17,299 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1844 | 17,309 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1845 | 17,320 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1846 | 17,330 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1847 | 17,340 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1848 | 17,350 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1849 | 17,361 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1850 | 17,371 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1851 | 17,382 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1852 | 17,393 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 17,404 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 17,415 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 17,426 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 17,437 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 17,448 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 17,459 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 17,470 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 17,481 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 17,513 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1862 | 17,543 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1863 | 17,574 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1864 | 17,605 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1865 | 17,636 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1866 | 17,666 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1867 | 17,697 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1868 | 17,728 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1869 | 17,759 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1870 | 17,789 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1871 | 17,820 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1872 | 17,859 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1873 | 17,897 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1874 | 17,936 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1875 | 17,976 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1876 | 18,015 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1877 | 18,055 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1878 | 18,096 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1879 | 18,136 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1880 | 18,178 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1881 | 18,220 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1882 | 18,256 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1883 | 18,294 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1884 | 18,331 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1885 | 18,368 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1886 | 18,405 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1887 | 18,442 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1888 | 18,480 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1889 | 18,518 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1890 | 18,555 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1891 | 18,593 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1892 | 18,700 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1893 | 18,829 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1894 | 18,987 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1895 | 19,183 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1896 | 19,427 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1897 | 19,734 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1898 | 25,101 tonnes | +27.2% |
| 1899 | 32,510 tonnes | +29.5% |
| 1900 | 42,134 tonnes | +29.6% |
| 1901 | 54,656 tonnes | +29.7% |
| 1902 | 63,058 tonnes | +15.4% |
| 1903 | 64,639 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1904 | 66,260 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1905 | 67,921 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1906 | 69,625 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1907 | 71,371 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1908 | 73,161 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1909 | 74,996 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1910 | 76,877 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1911 | 74,790 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1912 | 74,821 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1913 | 75,628 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1914 | 76,443 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1915 | 77,268 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1916 | 78,101 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1917 | 78,944 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1918 | 79,796 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1919 | 80,657 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1920 | 81,528 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1921 | 83,163 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1922 | 85,110 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1923 | 87,101 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1924 | 89,136 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1925 | 91,214 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1926 | 93,336 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1927 | 95,513 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1928 | 97,735 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1929 | 100,001 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1930 | 102,312 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1931 | 104,673 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1932 | 107,140 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1933 | 109,630 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1934 | 112,171 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1935 | 114,763 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1936 | 117,406 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1937 | 120,538 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1938 | 123,742 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1939 | 126,981 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1940 | 128,022 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1941 | 129,187 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1942 | 130,412 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1943 | 131,695 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1944 | 133,037 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1945 | 134,437 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1946 | 135,895 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1947 | 137,441 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1948 | 145,311 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1949 | 148,855 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1950 | 158,713 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1951 | 159,725 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1952 | 160,829 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1953 | 161,874 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1954 | 162,638 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1955 | 163,801 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1956 | 164,990 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1957 | 172,105 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1958 | 166,528 tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1959 | 169,335 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1960 | 186,162 tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1961 | 171,521 tonnes | -7.9% |
| 1962 | 171,677 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1963 | 173,419 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1964 | 171,132 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1965 | 169,749 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1966 | 173,937 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1967 | 175,796 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1968 | 182,253 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1969 | 207,513 tonnes | +13.9% |
| 1970 | 203,899 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1971 | 208,958 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1972 | 211,934 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1973 | 211,981 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 210,992 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1975 | 219,482 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1976 | 223,715 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1977 | 230,116 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1978 | 243,085 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1979 | 246,456 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 248,532 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1981 | 259,041 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1982 | 259,564 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1983 | 266,388 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 268,992 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1985 | 275,765 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1986 | 291,426 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1987 | 295,491 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1988 | 304,422 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1989 | 302,802 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1990 | 300,456 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1991 | 305,987 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1992 | 288,178 tonnes | -5.8% |
| 1993 | 268,209 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1994 | 299,500 tonnes | +11.7% |
| 1995 | 319,100 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1996 | 314,564 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1997 | 329,046 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1998 | 338,243 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1999 | 354,346 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 2000 | 380,630 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 2001 | 382,761 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 384,235 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 385,507 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 388,151 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 392,859 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 399,402 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 405,494 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2008 | 411,044 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2009 | 418,726 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 425,118 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2011 | 432,622 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 446,672 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 449,972 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 451,342 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 444,519 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 438,482 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2017 | 439,356 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 432,593 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 2019 | 436,185 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 438,527 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 441,244 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 444,930 tonnes | +0.8% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 444,930 tonnes is below the median for low income countries, which is 576,398 tonnes, 77% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 444,930 tonnes is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 552,241 tonnes, 81% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where emissions of air pollutants in Sierra Leone 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | +29.7% | 42,134 tonnes | 54,656 tonnes |
| 1900 | +29.6% | 32,510 tonnes | 42,134 tonnes |
| 1899 | +29.5% | 25,101 tonnes | 32,510 tonnes |
| 1898 | +27.2% | 19,734 tonnes | 25,101 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 16,756 tonnes | 16,739 tonnes | 16,773 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 16,794 tonnes | 16,777 tonnes | 16,810 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 16,830 tonnes | 16,814 tonnes | 16,846 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 16,864 tonnes | 16,849 tonnes | 16,879 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 16,896 tonnes | 16,882 tonnes | 16,910 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 16,926 tonnes | 16,913 tonnes | 16,938 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 16,991 tonnes | 16,941 tonnes | 17,042 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 17,102 tonnes | 17,053 tonnes | 17,151 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 17,209 tonnes | 17,162 tonnes | 17,257 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 17,314 tonnes | 17,268 tonnes | 17,361 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 17,421 tonnes | 17,371 tonnes | 17,470 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 17,620 tonnes | 17,481 tonnes | 17,759 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 17,958 tonnes | 17,789 tonnes | 18,136 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 18,349 tonnes | 18,178 tonnes | 18,518 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 20,962 tonnes | 18,555 tonnes | 32,510 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 64,782 tonnes | 42,134 tonnes | 74,996 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 77,332 tonnes | 74,790 tonnes | 80,657 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 90,384 tonnes | 81,528 tonnes | 100,001 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 113,936 tonnes | 102,312 tonnes | 126,981 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 135,429 tonnes | 128,022 tonnes | 148,855 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 164,054 tonnes | 158,713 tonnes | 172,105 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 178,316 tonnes | 169,749 tonnes | 207,513 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 221,062 tonnes | 203,899 tonnes | 246,456 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 277,242 tonnes | 248,532 tonnes | 304,422 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 311,763 tonnes | 268,209 tonnes | 354,346 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 394,881 tonnes | 380,630 tonnes | 418,726 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 439,686 tonnes | 425,118 tonnes | 451,342 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 441,567 tonnes | 438,527 tonnes | 444,930 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More climate change data for Sierra Leone
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 3.65 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 1,547 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 538.77 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 1,008 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 2.03 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 36.02 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 1,431 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 201.66 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 1,229 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 0.761 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Sierra Leone?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Sierra Leone was 444,930 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 Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 451,342 tonnes in 2014.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 16,739 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Sierra Leone ranks 87th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.