Is the air over Europe becoming cleaner? 280,000 deaths per year

Almost 280,000 people die annually in Europe due to air pollution, according to the latest report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Fine particulate matter PM2.5 accounts for the largest share of this statistic. Much has improved, but the situation in cities still leaves much to be desired.

Exceeded standards are a deadly trap

Based on 2023 data, the EEA prepared an analysis of air pollution trends in EU member states and candidate countries. The overall result is encouraging, confirming a 19-year trend of improving air quality parameters. Despite this, as many as 95 percent of Europeans living in cities are exposed to the health effects of exceeding allowable pollution limits.

EEA experts calculated that reducing concentrations of PM2.5 particulate matter in the air to below 5 μg/m3 (the World Health Organization guideline) could prevent 182,000 premature deaths. A further 63,000 lives could be saved by reducing ozone emissions, while nitrogen oxides are responsible for 34,000 deaths annually.

Air pollution is particularly dangerous for people suffering from lung cancer and ischemic heart disease. Asthma is also a serious risk factor, as toxic compounds in the air can trigger or worsen it. The latest research shows that exceeding permissible air pollution levels also increases the likelihood of developing dementia.

Particulate matter is being reduced more effectively

The EEA analysis aims to assess how effective current EU policies have been in reducing air pollution. It turns out there is no shortage of reasons for satisfaction. Across the EU, the number of deaths caused by elevated concentrations of particulate matter in the air fell by 57 percent between 2005 and 2023.
The greatest successes were achieved in Finland, Sweden, and Estonia, where mortality dropped by 97.5, 94.8, and 94.4 percent respectively. The slowest progress was recorded in Greece and Turkey. In Poland, particulate matter in 2023 caused the premature deaths of more than 25,000 people, representing a 46.1 percent reduction in mortality compared to 2005.

Geographically, the worst air quality is recorded in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where the health impacts of exposure to toxic airborne compounds are the highest.

Investing in clean air pays off

The publication of the EEA report coincided with the ongoing Clean Air Forum in Bonn. Another important document presented at the German conference is the assessment of the National Emission Reduction Commitments (NEC) directive. Here, too, the conclusions are positive.

During the analyzed period, the EU economy grew, while emissions of the five main air pollutants (sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, non-methane volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia) systematically declined. This demonstrates the decoupling of economic growth from air pollution. The greatest reduction—85 percent compared to 2005—was recorded for SO2 emissions.

Air pollution reduction policies have brought benefits that far exceed the costs of implementation. “Every euro spent on clean air brings at least four times greater benefits, said Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, in Bonn.

The analysis shows that eight member states are failing to meet one or more reduction commitments that were supposed to be fulfilled by 2020. Several also expect difficulties in meeting their 2030 commitments.