emissions of air pollutants in Zambia
Zambia: emissions of air pollutants was 1.88 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
1.88 million tonnes
Change on year
up 1.4%
World rank
34th
of 220 countries
All-time high
1.88 million tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
21,236 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Zambia, 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 Zambia stood at 1.88 million tonnes. That is the highest value across all 273 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 27.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Zambia peaked at 1.88 million tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 21,236 tonnes, in 1750.
Zambia ranks 34th 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 Zambia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 21,236 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 21,240 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 21,244 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 21,247 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 21,251 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 21,254 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 21,258 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 21,262 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 21,265 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 21,269 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 21,272 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 21,276 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 21,279 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 21,282 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 21,285 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 21,289 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 21,292 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 21,295 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 21,298 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 21,302 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 21,305 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 21,308 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1772 | 21,311 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1773 | 21,314 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1774 | 21,317 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1775 | 21,320 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1776 | 21,322 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1777 | 21,325 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1778 | 21,328 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1779 | 21,331 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1780 | 21,334 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1781 | 21,336 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1782 | 21,339 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1783 | 21,341 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1784 | 21,344 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1785 | 21,346 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1786 | 21,349 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1787 | 21,351 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1788 | 21,354 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1789 | 21,356 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1790 | 21,359 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1791 | 21,361 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1792 | 21,363 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1793 | 21,365 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1794 | 21,367 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1795 | 21,369 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1796 | 21,371 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1797 | 21,373 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1798 | 21,375 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1799 | 21,377 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1800 | 21,379 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1801 | 21,381 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 21,382 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 21,384 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 21,385 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 21,387 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 21,388 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 21,390 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 21,392 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 21,393 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 21,395 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 21,406 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1812 | 21,418 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1813 | 21,430 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1814 | 21,442 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1815 | 21,454 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1816 | 21,466 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1817 | 21,477 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1818 | 21,489 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1819 | 21,501 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1820 | 21,512 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1821 | 21,524 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1822 | 21,535 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1823 | 21,546 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1824 | 21,558 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1825 | 21,569 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1826 | 21,580 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1827 | 21,591 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1828 | 21,602 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1829 | 21,614 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1830 | 21,625 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1831 | 21,636 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 21,646 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 21,657 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 21,668 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 21,678 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 21,689 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 21,699 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 21,710 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 21,720 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 21,731 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 21,741 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 21,751 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 21,761 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 21,771 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 21,781 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 21,791 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 21,801 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 21,810 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 21,820 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 21,830 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 21,847 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1852 | 21,865 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 21,882 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 21,900 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1855 | 21,918 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1856 | 21,936 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 21,954 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1858 | 21,972 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1859 | 21,990 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1860 | 22,009 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1861 | 22,052 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1862 | 22,096 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1863 | 22,351 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1864 | 22,978 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1865 | 23,622 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1866 | 24,285 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1867 | 24,967 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1868 | 25,667 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1869 | 26,388 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1870 | 27,128 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1871 | 27,890 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1872 | 28,673 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1873 | 29,478 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1874 | 30,305 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1875 | 31,156 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1876 | 32,031 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1877 | 32,931 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1878 | 33,856 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1879 | 34,807 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1880 | 35,785 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1881 | 36,791 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1882 | 37,825 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1883 | 38,888 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1884 | 39,981 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1885 | 41,105 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1886 | 42,260 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1887 | 43,449 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1888 | 44,670 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1889 | 45,926 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1890 | 47,218 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1891 | 48,546 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1892 | 49,912 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1893 | 51,316 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1894 | 52,759 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1895 | 54,244 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1896 | 55,770 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1897 | 57,339 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1898 | 58,953 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1899 | 60,612 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1900 | 62,318 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1901 | 64,544 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1902 | 66,846 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1903 | 69,226 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1904 | 71,688 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1905 | 74,233 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1906 | 76,864 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1907 | 79,586 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1908 | 82,399 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1909 | 85,308 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1910 | 88,316 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1911 | 91,426 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1912 | 94,641 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1913 | 97,965 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1914 | 101,401 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1915 | 104,954 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1916 | 108,626 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1917 | 112,422 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1918 | 116,346 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1919 | 120,401 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1920 | 124,594 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1921 | 128,927 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1922 | 133,428 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1923 | 138,081 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1924 | 142,890 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1925 | 147,861 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1926 | 153,000 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1927 | 158,310 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1928 | 163,799 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1929 | 169,472 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1930 | 175,334 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1931 | 181,393 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1932 | 187,655 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1933 | 194,126 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1934 | 200,813 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1935 | 207,723 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1936 | 214,864 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1937 | 225,482 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1938 | 236,445 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1939 | 247,762 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1940 | 259,440 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1941 | 271,488 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1942 | 283,916 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1943 | 296,325 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1944 | 308,776 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1945 | 321,188 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1946 | 331,672 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1947 | 342,292 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1948 | 353,046 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1949 | 363,936 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1950 | 380,938 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1951 | 391,323 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1952 | 400,381 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1953 | 409,873 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1954 | 419,411 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1955 | 429,694 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1956 | 442,611 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1957 | 451,872 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1958 | 463,710 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1959 | 471,942 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1960 | 481,837 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1961 | 491,770 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1962 | 502,925 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1963 | 512,456 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1964 | 623,092 tonnes | +21.6% |
| 1965 | 745,238 tonnes | +19.6% |
| 1966 | 735,648 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1967 | 804,528 tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1968 | 801,150 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1969 | 788,406 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1970 | 789,895 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1971 | 753,896 tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1972 | 797,211 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1973 | 819,154 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1974 | 823,873 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1975 | 851,681 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1976 | 870,297 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1977 | 873,738 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1978 | 894,049 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1979 | 896,920 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1980 | 909,734 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1981 | 916,093 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1982 | 945,097 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1983 | 965,515 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1984 | 990,432 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1985 | 1.02 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1986 | 1.07 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1987 | 1.09 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1988 | 1.13 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1989 | 1.15 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1990 | 1.16 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1991 | 1.20 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 1.24 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 1.23 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 1.23 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 1.23 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 1.21 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1997 | 1.21 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1998 | 1.21 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 1.22 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 1.22 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 1.22 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 1.21 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 1.21 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 1.20 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 1.19 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 1.22 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 1.25 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2008 | 1.30 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 1.33 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 1.38 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 1.42 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2012 | 1.48 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 1.52 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 1.58 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2015 | 1.62 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 1.66 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 1.69 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 1.73 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 1.77 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 1.81 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 1.86 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 1.88 million tonnes | +1.4% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 1.88 million tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 486,552 tonnes, 3.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 1.88 million tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 552,241 tonnes, 3.4× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 21,252 tonnes | 21,236 tonnes | 21,269 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 21,287 tonnes | 21,272 tonnes | 21,302 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 21,318 tonnes | 21,305 tonnes | 21,331 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 21,345 tonnes | 21,334 tonnes | 21,356 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 21,368 tonnes | 21,359 tonnes | 21,377 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 21,386 tonnes | 21,379 tonnes | 21,393 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 21,448 tonnes | 21,395 tonnes | 21,501 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 21,563 tonnes | 21,512 tonnes | 21,614 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 21,673 tonnes | 21,625 tonnes | 21,720 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 21,776 tonnes | 21,731 tonnes | 21,820 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 21,909 tonnes | 21,830 tonnes | 21,990 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 23,642 tonnes | 22,009 tonnes | 26,388 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 30,826 tonnes | 27,128 tonnes | 34,807 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 40,668 tonnes | 35,785 tonnes | 45,926 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 53,667 tonnes | 47,218 tonnes | 60,612 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 73,301 tonnes | 62,318 tonnes | 85,308 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 103,650 tonnes | 88,316 tonnes | 120,401 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 146,036 tonnes | 124,594 tonnes | 169,472 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 207,160 tonnes | 175,334 tonnes | 247,762 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 313,208 tonnes | 259,440 tonnes | 363,936 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 426,176 tonnes | 380,938 tonnes | 471,942 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 648,705 tonnes | 481,837 tonnes | 804,528 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 837,071 tonnes | 753,896 tonnes | 896,920 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.02 million tonnes | 909,734 tonnes | 1.15 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.22 million tonnes | 1.16 million tonnes | 1.24 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.23 million tonnes | 1.19 million tonnes | 1.33 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.58 million tonnes | 1.38 million tonnes | 1.77 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.85 million tonnes | 1.81 million tonnes | 1.88 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 31 North Korea 2.27 million tonnes compare
- 32 Mozambique 2.03 million tonnes compare
- 33 Italy 1.94 million tonnes compare
- 35 Madagascar 1.77 million tonnes compare
- 36 Sri Lanka 1.76 million tonnes compare
- 37 Guatemala 1.75 million tonnes compare
More climate change data for Zambia
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 303.19 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 7,547 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,795 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 4,752 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 10.55 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 169.71 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 2,153 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,033 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 120.21 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 7.67 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Zambia?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Zambia was 1.88 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.88 million tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 21,236 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Zambia rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Zambia ranks 34th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.