Western Sahara

Northern Africa, Africa

Air pollution (PM2.5)
19.5
µg/m³ annual mean · 2024
91st of 241 countries

Energy

Energy use per person

2,020 kWh/person/year · 2023
-52% since 1993177th highest of 216 · 2023
02k4k6k19801990200020102020low 2020

How much energy each person uses in a year, across electricity, transport, heating and industry. Energy Institute / Ember via Our World in Data

Solar electricity

0.00 % of electricity · 2009
+0.0 pp since 200037th highest of 212 · 2009
-10120002002200420062008

The share of a country's electricity generated from solar panels. The fastest-growing energy source in history. Ember / Energy Institute via Our World in Data

Wind electricity

0.00 % of electricity · 2009
+0.0 pp since 200065th highest of 202 · 2009
-10120002002200420062008

The share of a country's electricity generated from wind turbines, onshore and offshore. Ember / Energy Institute via Our World in Data

Coal electricity

0.00 % of electricity · 2009
+0.0 pp since 200079th highest of 208 · 2009
-10120002002200420062008

The share of electricity still generated by burning coal, the most polluting fuel. The number that must reach zero first. Ember / Energy Institute via Our World in Data

Oil electricity

100.0 % of electricity · 2009
+0.0 pp since 20001st highest of 212 · 2009
05010020002002200420062008

The share of a country's electricity generated by burning oil. Rare on big grids, still common on islands. Ember via Our World in Data

Gas electricity

0.00 % of electricity · 2009
+0.0 pp since 2000111th highest of 205 · 2009
-10120002002200420062008

The share of a country's electricity generated from natural gas, the least polluting fossil fuel but still a fossil fuel. Ember via Our World in Data

Land & Life

Forest area

1.95 % of land · 2025
-0.2 pp since 1995188th highest of 212 · 2025
01020301990200020102020World

How much of a country's land is covered by forest. FAO via Our World in Data

Red List Index

0.97 index (1 = species safe) · 2024
+0.0% since 199422nd highest of 244 · 2024
00.51200020102020

Tracks extinction risk across all assessed species. 1 means no species at risk; falling values mean wildlife sliding towards extinction. IUCN / SDG 15.5.1 via Our World in Data

Urban population

86.9 % living in cities · 2025
+1.3 pp since 199552nd highest of 236 · 2025
0501960198020002020World

The share of people living in towns and cities. Urbanisation shapes energy use, land use and how people experience climate change. UN World Urbanization Prospects via Our World in Data

Pollution

Air pollution (PM2.5)

19.5 µg/m³ annual mean · 2024
-12% since 199891st highest of 241 · 2024
010203020002005201020152020Worldlow 2011

Average exposure to fine particles small enough to enter the bloodstream. The WHO guideline is 5 µg/m³. World Bank / van Donkelaar et al. via Our World in Data

What can one person do?

  • Fly less
    One long-haul return flight can outweigh a year of other savings. Swap one flight for a train trip or a call.
  • Eat more plants
    Shifting towards a plant-rich diet is one of the largest steady cuts a person can make, and it starts with single meals.
  • Travel without a car where you can
    Walking, cycling and public transport beat an electric car; an electric car beats petrol.
  • Use your voice
    Personal footprints matter, but system change matters more. Vote, ask your employer and bank what they are doing, and talk about it.

Based on the highest-impact personal actions identified by Wynes & Nicholas (2017) and the IPCC's AR6 report on demand-side mitigation.

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