Capital city in Capital Region, Iceland
Air quality in Reykjavik
Meets the WHO guideline
The annual average PM2.5 in Reykjavik was 5 µg/m³ in 2020, about 1.0 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Mostly clean. Volcanic gas from Reykjanes eruptions can drift over the city on some days; check the national air quality map.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 5 µg/m³ yearly average (2020). Measured at Reykjavik.
- PM10: 10 µg/m³ (2020).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 9 µg/m³ (2020), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 6.4 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 |
Quick answers
Is the air in Reykjavik bad?
Meets the WHO guideline: 5 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 1.0× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Reykjavik?
Mostly clean. Volcanic gas from Reykjanes eruptions can drift over the city on some days; check the national air quality map.
How does Reykjavik compare with the rest of Iceland?
People in Iceland breathe 5 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 5 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Strætó
- Keflavík Airport (Isavia)
- Visit Reykjavík
- SafeTravel Iceland
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 Spotted something out of date?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.