Population-weighted concentration of PM₂.₅ in the richest and poorest (as measured by GDP per capita, PPS) quintile of NUTS3 regions in the EU-27, 2007-2022

The figure shows the annual average population weighted concentration of PM2.5 in the poorest quintile (upper line) and richest quintile (lower line) of NUTS3 regions in the EU, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita at purchasing power standard.

Units

Micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)

Additional information

. Population-weighting is a statistical technique that assigns greater weight to the air pollution experienced where most people live.
. GDP: Gross Domestic Product, a basic measure of the overall size of a country's or region's economy.
. Per capita (Latin: "per head") indicates the average per person in a group, in this case, the population of a given NUTS3 region.
. PPS: purchasing power standard, an artificial currency unit with which theoretically, one could buy the same amount of goods and services in each country. PPS is a more accurate way to compare wealth per capita than raw GDP because it reduces the effect of price differences.
. PM_2.5, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5μm or less.

Methodology

The dataset of annual population weighted concentrations of PM_2.5 by NUTS3 region was reorganized in quintiles according to the regions' GDP per capita (PPS), and the average concentration of the richest and lowest quintiles was found.

Population-weighted concentration of PM₂.₅ in the richest and poorest (as measured by GDP per capita, PPS) quintile of NUTS3 regions in the EU-27, 2007-2022

Related content

References and footnotes