Inequity in exposure to air pollution (Indicator)

Key messages: Air pollution in the EU has improved between 2007 and 2021, but inequalities in air pollution exposure remain between rich and poor regions. Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) have been consistently higher by around one-third in the poorest regions compared to the wealthiest ones.

Population-weighted concentrations of PM₂.₅ in the least and most disadvantaged NUTS 3 regions in the EU-27, 2007-2021(left).Ratio of population-weighted concentrations of PM_2.5 in EU NUTS 3 regions between the most deprived and least deprived quintiles from 2007-2021 (right)

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Air pollution poses the greatest environmental risk to health in Europe (EEA, 2024). PM_2.5 is the pollutant associated with the most health impacts, including the highest number of premature deaths, and has no safe threshold (WHO, 2021). Therefore, monitoring PM_2.5levels can reveal inequalities in the distribution of health impacts caused by air pollution (ETC, 2023).

From 2007 to 2021, population-weighted concentrations of PM_2.5 were reduced across both the least disadvantaged (i.e. richest) and the most disadvantaged (i.e. poorest) quintiles of the EU-27’s NUTS 3 regions (the smallest subdivision of the nomenclature of territorial units for statistics), according to their GDP per capita at purchasing power standard (Eurostat, 2022).

However, regions in the richest quintile had lower starting levels of PM_2.5 (around 15µg/m³ in 2007) than those in the poorest quintile (19.5µg/m³ in 2007). This rough inequality in exposure remained, with some variation, throughout the entire series.

This difference is also illustrated in Figure 2, which shows the ratio of population-weighted concentration of PM_2.5 in EU NUTS 3 regions between the most and least deprived quintiles. Ratios remained relatively stable over the 2007 to 2021 period, well above 1.0 (which would have meant equal concentrations regardless of GDP). This indicates no significant progress in reducing environmental inequalities related to air pollution exposure in the EU.

Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.

This indicator compares exposure to PM_2.5 between populations living in the poorest and richest regions of the EU.

The analysis uses population-weighted concentrations of PM_2.5 in the 20% of NUTS 3 regions (i.e. in small areas, like a prefecture) of the EU with the least per capita income (in terms of purchasing power) and in the 20% of NUTS 3 regions with the highest per capita income. Exposure at NUTS 3 is an imperfect proxy for actual inequalities in air pollution exposure. Most likely, inequalities within a city can be much higher than between NUTS 3 regions, depending on the local situation (proximity to main roads, industry, etc.). However, despite having data on exposure to fine particles at a fine scale (down to a 1 x 1km cell grid), we do not have Europe-wide data on GDP at a level smaller than NUTS 3. Therefore, NUTS 3 is the smallest scale at which we can calculate the indicator as currently defined.

More information is available on the EEA indicator page.

References and footnotes

EEA, 2024, ‘Air quality in Europe 2022’, EEA Briefing No 05/2022, European Environment Agency (Europe’s air quality status 2024 — European Environment Agency) accessed 30 September 2024.
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WHO, 2021, ‘Global air quality guidelines: Particulate matter (‎PM2.5 and PM10)‎, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide’, World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240034228) accessed 5 March 2023.
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ETC, 2023, ETC HE Report 2022/12: European air quality maps for 2020. PM10, PM2.5, Ozone, NO2, NOx and Benzo(a)pyrene spatial estimates and their uncertainties (https://www.eionet.europa.eu/etcs/etc-he/products/etc-he-report-2022-12-european-air-quality-maps-for-2020-pm10-pm2-5-ozone-no2-nox-and-benzo-a-pyrene-spatial-estimates-and-their-uncertainties) accessed 16 March 2023.
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Eurostat, 2022, Regional Yearbook (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-flagship-publications/-/ks-ha-22-001) accessed 18 August 2024.
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Inequity in exposure to air pollution (Indicator)

Population-weighted concentrations of PM₂.₅ in the least and most disadvantaged NUTS 3 regions in the EU-27, 2007-2021(left).Ratio of population-weighted concentrations of PM2.5 in EU NUTS 3 regions between the most deprived and least deprived quintiles from 2007-2021 (right)

Zero Pollution Action Plan 2030 target or policy objectives

Other relevant indicators and signals

References and footnotes

Population-weighted concentrations of PM₂.₅ in the least and most disadvantaged NUTS 3 regions in the EU-27, 2007-2021(left).Ratio of population-weighted concentrations of PM_2.5 in EU NUTS 3 regions between the most deprived and least deprived quintiles from 2007-2021 (right)