City in Central Macedonia, Greece
Air quality in Thessaloniki
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Thessaloniki was 20 µg/m³ in 2021, about 4.0 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Winter inversion and wood-burning smog can push PM2.5 up in the city center; summer ozone on hot days.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 20 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Thessaloniki.
- PM10: 37 µg/m³ (2021).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 25 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: Dec–Feb.
- Recent average: 21.5 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2017 |
Air quality across Greece
Quick answers
Is the air in Thessaloniki bad?
Polluted: 20 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 4.0× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Dec–Feb.
When is the air worst in Thessaloniki?
Winter inversion and wood-burning smog can push PM2.5 up in the city center; summer ozone on hot days.
How does Thessaloniki compare with the rest of Greece?
People in Greece breathe 14 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 20 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Thessaloniki Metro
- OASTH
- Thessaloniki Airport (Fraport Greece)
- Visit Greece
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 Spotted something out of date?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.