Capital city in Sofia City, Bulgaria
Air quality in Sofia
Fairly clean
The annual average PM2.5 in Sofia was 8 µg/m³ in 2021, about 1.6 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Winter heating and traffic often push PM2.5 to unhealthy levels on cold, still days; check the air quality map.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 8 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Sofia.
- PM10: 24 µg/m³ (2021).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 22 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: Nov–Feb.
- Recent average: 14.5 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 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 Sofia bad?
Fairly clean: 8 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 1.6× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Nov–Feb.
When is the air worst in Sofia?
Winter heating and traffic often push PM2.5 to unhealthy levels on cold, still days; check the air quality map.
How does Sofia compare with the rest of Bulgaria?
People in Bulgaria breathe 20 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 8 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Sofia Airport
- Sofia Metropolitan
- Sofia Urban Mobility Center
- Bolt Bulgaria
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 Spotted something out of date?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.