City in Plovdiv Province, Bulgaria
Air quality in Plovdiv
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Plovdiv was 17 µg/m³ in 2021, about 3.4 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Winter heating and traffic can raise PM2.5 on cold, still days.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 17 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Plovdiv.
- PM10: 35 µg/m³ (2021).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 33 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: Dec–Feb.
- Recent average: 19.5 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 |
Air quality across Bulgaria
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sofia | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Varna | 10.9 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Golden Sands | 10.9 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Veliko Tarnovo | 14.3 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Plovdiv | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Plovdiv bad?
Polluted: 17 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 3.4× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Dec–Feb.
When is the air worst in Plovdiv?
Winter heating and traffic can raise PM2.5 on cold, still days.
How does Plovdiv compare with the rest of Bulgaria?
People in Bulgaria breathe 20 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 17 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Plovdiv
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways)
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 Spotted something out of date?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.