Capital city, Cambodia
Air quality in Phnom Penh
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Phnom Penh was 19 µg/m³ in 2021, about 3.8 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Traffic and burning haze raise PM2.5 in the dry season; wear a mask on bad days.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 19 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Phnom Penh.
- Nitrogen dioxide: 19 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: Jan–Mar.
- Recent average: 19.7 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 |
Air quality across Cambodia
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Kep | 10 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Kampot | 13 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Phnom Penh | 19 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Sihanoukville | 19 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Battambang | 35 µg/m³ | Very polluted |
| Siem Reap | 37 µg/m³ | Severely polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Phnom Penh bad?
Polluted: 19 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 3.8× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Jan–Mar.
When is the air worst in Phnom Penh?
Traffic and burning haze raise PM2.5 in the dry season; wear a mask on bad days.
How does Phnom Penh compare with the rest of Cambodia?
People in Cambodia breathe 19 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 19 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Phnom Penh
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Cambodia e-Visa
- Cambodia Airports
- Grab Cambodia
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.