In Europe, pollution slightly decreased (1.2 percent) in 2023. Sustained implementation of clean air policies in the region have helped reduce particulate pollution levels by 31.5 percent since 1998 levels. Barring some residents living in Italy and Spain, most European residents have seen air quality improvements that have extended their life expectancy. Still, if Europe were to further reduce its pollution to meet the WHO guideline, average life expectancy in the region could increase by 6.1 months—adding 437 million life years to Europe’s population.
Eastern parts of Europe continue to be more polluted than western parts. An average resident of Eastern Europe is likely to gain 7.9 months of life expectancy if pollution met the WHO guideline—3.8 months more than residents of Western Europe. While all of Eastern Europe except Estonia exceeds the WHO guideline, the Eastern European nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most polluted country in Europe. An average resident of Bosnia and Herzegovina could gain 1.6 years of life expectancy if particulate concentrations here were reduced to meet the WHO guideline. Outside of Eastern Europe, pollution remains high in Italy. In Milan, the city with the highest pollution in Western Europe, residents could gain 1.4 years if particulate pollution levels were reduced to meet the WHO guideline.
See factsheet: Europe