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Mismanaged plastic waste per capita vs. GDP per capita, 2019

Mismanaged plastic waste is waste that is not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills. It includes materialsburned in open pits, dumped into seas or open waters, or disposed of in unsanitary landfills and dumpsites.

GDP per capita (international-$ in 2021 prices)$10,000$100,000$2,000$5,000$20,000$50,000Mismanaged plastic waste (kilograms per person)50 kgAlbaniaAlbaniaAngolaAngolaAntigua and BarbudaAntigua and BarbudaBelgiumBelgiumBelizeBelizeBeninBeninCameroonCameroonLiberiaLiberiaMexicoMexicoNorwayNorwayTogoTogoAfricaAsiaEuropeNorth AmericaOceaniaSouth America

Data source: Meijer et al. (2021). More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean. Science Advances.;Data compiled from multiple sources by World Bank (2025) – Learn more about this data

Note: GDP per capita is measured in international-$ at 2021 prices to account for inflation and differences in living costs betweencountries.

OurWorldinData.org/plastic-pollution |

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