Air Quality
3.1/5
18.5 µg/m³Sensitive Groups
Air Quality Profile
Lusaka reports an annual PM2.5 of 18.5 µg/m³. That's meaningfully above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ yet within the EU annual limit of 25 µg/m³.
Lusaka
Zambia
ZambiaAnnual Average
ModerateWHO annual classification
18.5µg/m³
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PM2.5
1919 µg/m³ — Moderate
2020 µg/m³ — Moderate
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
1111 µg/m³ — Fair
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
2323 µg/m³ — Moderate
2828 µg/m³ — Poor
2727 µg/m³ — Poor
2121 µg/m³ — Moderate
1717 µg/m³ — Moderate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
1919 µg/m³ — Moderate
2020 µg/m³ — Moderate
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
1111 µg/m³ — Fair
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
2323 µg/m³ — Moderate
2828 µg/m³ — Poor
2727 µg/m³ — Poor
2121 µg/m³ — Moderate
1717 µg/m³ — Moderate
Best months: Apr–JunWorst months: Aug–Oct
Fair10–15 µg/m³Moderate15–25 µg/m³Poor25–35 µg/m³
Based on WUSTL PM2.5 dataset (2020–2024) · WHO 2021 thresholds
Confidence: ●●●
Air Quality Profile
Lusaka reports an annual PM2.5 of 18.5 µg/m³. That's meaningfully above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ yet within the EU annual limit of 25 µg/m³.
LusakaZambia
ZambiaAnnual Average
ModerateWHO annual classification
18.5µg/m³
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PM2.5
1919 µg/m³ — Moderate
2020 µg/m³ — Moderate
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
1111 µg/m³ — Fair
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
2323 µg/m³ — Moderate
2828 µg/m³ — Poor
2727 µg/m³ — Poor
2121 µg/m³ — Moderate
1717 µg/m³ — Moderate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
1919 µg/m³ — Moderate
2020 µg/m³ — Moderate
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
1111 µg/m³ — Fair
1212 µg/m³ — Fair
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1616 µg/m³ — Moderate
2323 µg/m³ — Moderate
2828 µg/m³ — Poor
2727 µg/m³ — Poor
2121 µg/m³ — Moderate
1717 µg/m³ — Moderate
Best months: Apr–JunWorst months: Aug–Oct
Fair10–15 µg/m³Moderate15–25 µg/m³Poor25–35 µg/m³
Based on WUSTL PM2.5 dataset (2020–2024) · WHO 2021 thresholds
Confidence: ●●●
Who thrives in Lusaka
Great fit
Decent fit
Things to consider in Lusaka
PM2.5 annual average of 18.5 µg/m³ exceeds the WHO interim target of 15 µg/m³. The WHO guideline value is 5 µg/m³.
Data sources: WHO (air quality), OECD (safety).
Why not Lusaka?
Why not Lusaka? Honestly, air quality could be better — Lusaka's 18.5 µg/m³ annual PM2.5 is above WHO guidelines, though still within ranges common for larger cities.
Frequently asked about Lusaka
▶How many sunny days does Lusaka have per year?
Lusaka averages approximately 298 sunny days per year, based on historical climate data.
▶What is the air quality in Lusaka?
Lusaka has an annual PM2.5 concentration of 18.5 µg/m³, classified as "Moderate" by WHO standards. Above WHO targets. Some respiratory effects possible with prolonged exposure.