Capital city, Latvia
Air quality in Riga
Moderate
The annual average PM2.5 in Riga was 14 µg/m³ in 2021, about 2.8 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Wood smoke in cold snaps can raise PM2.5 in winter; usually clean.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 14 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Riga.
- PM10: 29 µg/m³ (2021).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 19 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 13.4 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 |
Quick answers
Is the air in Riga bad?
Moderate: 14 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 2.8× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Riga?
Wood smoke in cold snaps can raise PM2.5 in winter; usually clean.
How does Riga compare with the rest of Latvia?
People in Latvia breathe 13 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 14 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Riga Public Transport (Rīgas satiksme)
- Riga International Airport
- Live Riga
- Pauls Stradiņš University Hospital
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 Spotted something out of date?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.