Armenia

High levels of air pollution in the capital Yerevan have prompted the government to take further action to facilitate emission reductions and cleaner air. A recent World Bank study has also shown that the health costs associated with air pollution by fine particles (PM2.5) in Armenia represent about 10.6 % of GDP, compared to 3.8% on average in the EU.

Population-weighted annual mean exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Armenia is 28.4 µg/m³, about 5.7 times the WHO guideline. In 2021 this exposure level was associated with roughly 94 attributable deaths per 100,000 people, signaling a substantial public‑health impact from ambient outdoor air pollution.

Fine particulate pollution in Armenia drives a broad health burden, contributing substantially to respiratory and cardiovascular illness as well as metabolic and infectious conditions. The largest shares of PM2.5‑attributable deaths are from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (22%) and stroke (21%), followed by type 2 diabetes (20%), tracheal/bronchus/lung cancer (20%), ischemic heart disease (18%), and lower respiratory infections (17%), reflecting both long‑term chronic effects and acute risks during high‑exposure events.

PM2.5 concentrations in Yerevan show a pronounced seasonal pattern, with winter months consistently reaching levels between 35 and 55 µg/m³, while levels in summer months often drop below 20 µg/m³. This seasonal swing, repeated annually from 2000 to 2020, reflects the impact of heating emissions and stagnant atmospheric conditions during colder periods. Monthly maximum PM2.5 values reveal sharp interannual variability. For instance, January 2010 peaked near 60 µg/m³, whereas January 2005 remained below 30 µg/m³. December and January are the most volatile months, with some years showing double the concentrations of adjacent years, underscoring the episodic nature of pollution events.

Annual PM2.5 averages in Armenia fluctuated between 18 and 35 µg/m³ over the two-decade span (2000-2020). The highest recorded yearly average occurred in 2010, nearing 35 µg/m³, while the lowest was in 2003, around 18 µg/m³. These shifts suggest inconsistent progress in air quality management, with improvements often offset by rebounds in subsequent years. SO₂ levels, in contrast, show a steady decline. In 2000, the annual average was approximately 0.000045 kg/m², dropping to around 0.000015 kg/m² by 2020—a reduction of nearly 67%. This downward trend points to effective mitigation strategies, likely tied to industrial modernization and tighter emission controls.

The long-term dataset spanning 1980 to 2024 reveals notable interannual variability. For example, peak winter concentrations in 1993 exceeded 3.0 µg/m³, while concentrations in the same months in 2005 remained closer to 1.5 µg/m³. These fluctuations suggest the influence of changing urban activity, fuel usage, and meteorological conditions over time. Despite short-term dips, the overall pattern shows persistent wintertime spikes across decades, indicating that seasonal heating and stagnant air masses continue to drive elevated black carbon levels. The persistence of these peaks underscores the challenge of mitigating cold-season pollution in urban environments.

Armenia has taken several steps to combat air pollution by modernizing environmental legislation, expanding air-quality monitoring, and promoting cleaner energy. The country has introduced stricter emission limits for industrial facilities, expanded the use of natural gas in the transport sector, and encouraged electric vehicle adoption through tax exemptions. Efforts also include improving public transport in Yerevan, upgrading heating systems to reduce household emissions, and increasing green spaces.