How many people are exposed to noise pollution in Europe?

About 112 million people in Europe, more than 20% of the population, are exposed to road, rail and aircraft noise above EU thresholds, according to the EEA. Measured against stricter WHO guideline levels, the figure rises to about 145 million, over 30% of the population.

How many deaths does noise pollution cause?

The EEA estimates that long-term transport noise contributes to about 73,000 premature deaths a year in Europe, along with 49,000 new cardiovascular disease cases and 23,000 cases of type 2 diabetes. It also estimates 1.5 million healthy life years lost each year.

What is the biggest source of noise pollution?

Road traffic. In Europe it exposes about 92 million people above 55 dB Lden, compared with 18 million for rail and 2.6 million for aircraft, according to the EEA.

What noise level does WHO recommend?

WHO's 2018 guidelines for Europe recommend keeping road traffic noise below 53 dB Lden and 45 dB at night, and aircraft noise below 45 dB Lden and 40 dB at night. For bedrooms, WHO community noise guidance recommends under 30 dB(A) at night.

How much does noise pollution cost?

The EEA puts the cost of transport noise in Europe at at least EUR 100 billion a year, about 0.6% of GDP. National estimates include CHF 2 billion a year for road noise in Switzerland and £7 billion to £10 billion a year for urban road noise in England.

How many Americans are exposed to transportation noise?

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimated that about 74 million people, 23.1% of the 2018 US population, were potentially exposed to aviation and road noise of at least 45 dB over 24 hours. About 0.1% faced levels comparable to a lawn mower.

Data · 52 figures with sources

Noise Pollution Statistics 2026

This page collects figures on environmental noise: how many people are exposed to road, rail and aircraft noise, the health burden measured in deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), annoyance and sleep disturbance around airports, costs and the results of noise control in specific cities. Europe has the most complete data because the EU Environmental Noise Directive (END) requires noise mapping every five years, so many figures come from the 2022 mapping round analyzed by the European Environment Agency in 2025 and corrected in 2026. US and Canadian figures come from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the FAA and Health Canada, and city figures from Hong Kong, Switzerland, England and UNEP. Older guideline values from WHO are labeled with their year.

By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 7, 2026 · 52 numbers drawn from 21 publishers and reports

Short answer

About 112 million people in Europe, more than 20% of the population, live with transport noise above EU limits, and about 145 million exceed WHO guideline levels, according to the European Environment Agency. The EEA links this noise to 73,000 premature deaths and 1.5 million healthy life years lost each year, at a cost of at least EUR 100 billion. Road traffic is the main source, exposing about 92 million Europeans, against 18 million for rail and 2.6 million for aircraft.

Headline numbers

112 millionAbout 112 million people in the EEA-32 countries (excluding Türkiye), more than 20% of the population, live with long-term road, rail and aircraft noise above the EU Environmental Noise Directive thresholds, based on 2022 noise maps.European Environment Agency
145 millionMeasured against the stricter WHO guideline levels, about 145 million people in Europe, over 30% of the population, are exposed to unhealthy transport noise.European Environment Agency
92 millionRoad traffic is the largest single source: about 92 million Europeans are exposed above 55 dB Lden from roads.European Environment Agency
73,000Long-term exposure to transport noise contributes to about 73,000 premature deaths a year in Europe, plus around 49,000 new cardiovascular disease cases and 23,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, in the EEA's corrected 2021 estimate.European Environment Agency
1.5 millionTransport noise costs Europe about 1.5 million healthy life years (DALYs) each year, valued at an economic cost of at least EUR 100 billion, or about 0.6% of GDP.European Environment Agency
4.0 millionAbout 4.0 million people around Europe's airports were highly annoyed by aircraft noise in 2023, and 1.8 million suffered high sleep disturbance, using WHO exposure-response curves.European Union Aviation Safety Agency
60.1%At an aircraft noise level of DNL 65 dB, the FAA's Neighborhood Environmental Survey found 60.1% to 70.9% of US residents highly annoyed, compared with 12.3% under the older Schultz curve used since 1992.Federal Aviation Administration
3%The number of people highly annoyed by transport noise in the EU fell by only about 3% between 2017 and 2022, so the EEA says the 2030 target is unlikely to be met without new measures.European Environment Agency

Reading the numbers

Noise exposure in Europe is widespread and has barely moved. The EEA counts about 112 million people above the END thresholds and about 145 million above WHO guideline levels, with road traffic responsible for about 92 million. Exposure fell by only about 0.5% between 2017 and 2022, and the number of people highly annoyed by transport noise fell about 3%, far short of the EU target of a 30% cut by 2030.

The health estimates have grown as the evidence has. WHO Europe's 2011 study found over 1 million healthy years lost to traffic noise in western Europe; the EEA's corrected 2025 assessment puts the figure at 1.5 million healthy life years and 73,000 premature deaths a year, partly because it now counts cardiovascular and diabetes risk from 45 dB Lden. A systematic review for the WHO guidelines found an 8% rise in heart disease risk per 10 dB of road noise, and a UBA study found up to 11% higher depression risk per 10 dB of aircraft noise.

Aircraft noise reaches fewer people but annoys more per decibel. EASA estimates 4.0 million people around 98 major European airports were highly annoyed in 2023, and 1.6 million heard more than 50 loud events a day, up 59% since 2005. In the US, the FAA's survey found 60.1% to 70.9% of residents highly annoyed at DNL 65 dB, against 12.3% under the curve used since 1992.

Outside Europe, data are thinner. BTS models about 74 million Americans, 23.1% of the population, with potential transport noise of at least 45 dB, and Health Canada found 8.5% of adults highly annoyed by road traffic. City data show what works: Hong Kong cut the number of people exposed to excess traffic noise by 460,000 over 20 years with barriers and planning, while Switzerland and England each put the yearly cost of road noise in the billions.

How many people are exposed to environmental noise in Europe

1.112 million
About 112 million people in the EEA-32 countries (excluding Türkiye), more than 20% of the population, live with long-term road, rail and aircraft noise above the EU Environmental Noise Directive thresholds, based on 2022 noise maps.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (full report PDF, corrected March 2026) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The latest estimates show that approximately 112 million people — more than 20% of the population in Europe — are exposed to long-term noise levels from road, rail and aircraft sources that exceed the thresholds set by the END.
2.145 million
Measured against the stricter WHO guideline levels, about 145 million people in Europe, over 30% of the population, are exposed to unhealthy transport noise.
European Environment Agency, Exposure of Europe's population to environmental noise (indicator) (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Considering WHO thresholds, it is estimated that approximately 145 million people (over 30% of the population) are exposed to unhealthy noise levels from transportation sources.
3.92 million
Road traffic is the largest single source: about 92 million Europeans are exposed above 55 dB Lden from roads.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Road traffic is the most widespread source of transport noise, exposing an estimated 92 million people to levels above the END threshold of 55 dB for the day-evening-night period, compared to 18 million affected by rail traffic and 2.6 million by aircraft noise.
4.18 million
Railway noise reaches about 18 million people in Europe over the day-evening-night period and 13 million at night.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (full report PDF, corrected March 2026) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In comparison, railway noise affects 18 million people during the day-evening-night period and 13 million at night, while aircraft noise impacts around 2.6 million (day-evening-night) and fewer than 1 million during the night.
5.57 million
Around 57 million people in the EU-27 are affected by night-time road noise at or above the 50 dB Lnight threshold, according to the 2022 mapping round.
European Environment Agency, Exposure of Europe's population to environmental noise (indicator) (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Around 57 million are affected by night-time noise.
6.69 million
Inside cities, roughly 69 million people are exposed to harmful levels of road traffic noise.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (full report PDF, corrected March 2026) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Roughly 69 million people are exposed to harmful levels of road traffic noise in urban environments.
7.22 million
The European Commission counts 22 million people in the EU who suffer chronic high annoyance from environmental noise.
European Commission, Noise (DG Environment) (2025)
Exact wording at the source
22 million people suffer chronic high annoyance
8.40%
An older EU estimate cited by WHO Europe put about 40% of the EU population above 55 dB(A) of road traffic noise, and more than 30% above 55 dB(A) at night. This figure predates the current mapping rules.
WHO Regional Office for Europe, Noise (fact sheet) (Dec 2011)
Exact wording at the source
According to a European Union (EU) publication: about 40% of the population in EU countries is exposed to road traffic noise at levels exceeding 55 db(A); 20% is exposed to levels exceeding 65 dB(A) during the daytime; and more than 30% is exposed to levels exceeding 55 dB(A) at night.

Chart

People in Europe exposed to transport noise above 55 dB Lden, by source, 2022

EEA-32 excluding Türkiye, 2022 strategic noise maps under the Environmental Noise Directive.

Road92 million
Rail18 million
Aircraft2.6 million

Source: European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages)

Health burden: deaths, DALYs and disease

9.73,000
Long-term exposure to transport noise contributes to about 73,000 premature deaths a year in Europe, plus around 49,000 new cardiovascular disease cases and 23,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, in the EEA's corrected 2021 estimate.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Chronic exposure to noise from transport contributes to 73,000 premature deaths annually in Europe, while also leading to around 49,000 new cardiovascular disease cases and 23,000 cases of type 2 diabetes.
10.1.5 million
Transport noise costs Europe about 1.5 million healthy life years (DALYs) each year, valued at an economic cost of at least EUR 100 billion, or about 0.6% of GDP.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Noise pollution from transport sources results in the loss of 1.5 million healthy life years annually in Europe, equivalent to an annual economic cost of at least EUR 100 billion, representing around 0.6% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) each year.
11.115,000
Over half a million children in Europe have reading difficulties linked to transport noise, and about 115,000 have behavioral problems, according to the EEA.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
It is estimated that over half a million children in Europe experience reading difficulties and about 115,000 experience behavioral issues due to transport noise.
12.15 million
About 15 million children in Europe live in areas with harmful noise levels.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (full report PDF, corrected March 2026) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
There are approximately 15 million children living in areas affected by harmful noise levels in Europe.
13.12,000
The European Commission's headline figures attribute 12,000 premature deaths in the EU to long-term environmental noise exposure, an earlier estimate that the EEA's newer method has since raised.
European Commission, Noise (DG Environment) (2025)
Exact wording at the source
In the EU 12,000 premature deaths caused by long-term exposure to environmental noise
14.12,500
Aircraft noise causes learning impairment in 12,500 EU schoolchildren, according to the European Commission.
European Commission, Noise (DG Environment) (2025)
Exact wording at the source
12,500 schoolchildren suffer learning impairment in school caused by aircraft noise
15.1 million
WHO's first burden of disease estimate for noise found that traffic noise accounted for over 1 million healthy years of life lost each year in western European countries.
WHO Regional Office for Europe, New evidence from WHO on health effects of traffic-related noise in Europe (Mar 2011)
Exact wording at the source
Traffic-related noise accounts for over 1 million healthy years of life lost annually to ill health, disability or early death in the western countries in the WHO European Region.
16.one in three
In the same WHO Europe study, one in three people reported daytime annoyance and one in five had disturbed sleep at night because of road, rail and airport noise.
WHO Regional Office for Europe, New evidence from WHO on health effects of traffic-related noise in Europe (Mar 2011)
Exact wording at the source
One in three people experiences annoyance during the daytime and one in five has disturbed sleep at night because of noise from roads, railways and airports.
17.1.08
A systematic review for the WHO noise guidelines found that each 10 dB increase in road traffic noise was linked to an 8% higher risk of ischemic heart disease, a relative risk of 1.08 across seven longitudinal studies.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: A Systematic Review on Environmental Noise and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects (Feb 2018)
Exact wording at the source
Combining the results of 7 longitudinal studies revealed a Relative Risk (RR) of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01–1.15) per 10 dB (L DEN ) for the association between road traffic noise and the incidence of IHD.
18.15 percent
A study for Germany's Environment Agency found that each 10 dB increase in transport noise can raise the risk of anxiety disorders by 3% to 15%, and depression risk by up to 11% for aircraft noise.
German Environment Agency (UBA), Traffic noise can increase risk of depression and anxiety disorders (Apr 2023)
Exact wording at the source
A 10-decibel increase in road, railroad and aircraft noise can raise that risk by up to four, five and eleven percent; the figure for anxiety disorder rises by three to 15 percent.
19.60 dB
UNEP notes that background noise of 60 dB is enough to raise heart rate and blood pressure and disrupt concentration and sleep.
UN Environment Programme, Frontiers Report 2022: Listening to Cities (interactive) (Apr 2023)
Exact wording at the source
Background noise of 60 dB is enough to raise heart rate and blood pressure and cause a loss of concentration and sleep.

Aircraft noise around airports

20.4.0 million
About 4.0 million people around Europe's airports were highly annoyed by aircraft noise in 2023, and 1.8 million suffered high sleep disturbance, using WHO exposure-response curves.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency, European Aviation Environmental Report 2025: Noise (2025)
Exact wording at the source
In 2023, using the dose-response curves developed by the World Health Organization Europe [6] and the population exposed to L den above 45 dB and L night above 40 dB, the number of people highly annoyed by aircraft noise was estimated to be 4.0 million, and the number of people suffering from aircraft-induced high sleep disturbance was estimated to be 1.8 million.
21.1.6 million
In 2023, 1.6 million people near 98 major European airports heard more than 50 aircraft noise events above 70 dB per day, 59% more than in 2005.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency, European Aviation Environmental Report 2025: Noise (2025)
Exact wording at the source
In 2023, 1.6 million people were exposed to more than 50 aircraft noise events above 70 dB per day at the 98 major airports, which is 59% more than in 2005.
22.10%
The population inside the Lden 55 dB contours of major European airports was 10% lower in 2023 than in 2019, and 4% lower inside the Lnight 50 dB contours.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency, European Aviation Environmental Report 2025: Noise (2025)
Exact wording at the source
The total population inside the Lden 55 dB and Lnight 50 dB airport noise contours were 10% and 4% lower than in 2019 respectively ( Figure 1.8 and Figure 1.9 ).
23.11%
Aviation accounted for around 11% of people highly annoyed by noise in Europe in 2021, based on exposure above WHO guideline values.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency, European Aviation Environmental Report 2025: Noise (2025)
Exact wording at the source
Aviation noise in context Based on data reported by Member States every five years under the Environmental Noise Direc- tive 2002/49/EC, it is estimated that in 2021 aviation represented around 11% of people who are highly annoyed by noise, based on exposure exceeding the WHO guideline values
24.60.1%
At an aircraft noise level of DNL 65 dB, the FAA's Neighborhood Environmental Survey found 60.1% to 70.9% of US residents highly annoyed, compared with 12.3% under the older Schultz curve used since 1992.
Federal Aviation Administration, Overview of FAA's Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts (Federal Register notice) (Jan 2021)
Exact wording at the source
At a noise exposure level of DNL 65 dB, the updated Schultz Curve from the 1992 FICON Report indicated that 12.3 percent of people were highly annoyed, compared to between 60.1 percent and 70.9 percent within a 95 percent confidence limit from the NES.
25.15.4%
Even at DNL 50 dB, well below the US federal threshold of significance, 15.4% to 23.4% of residents near airports were highly annoyed in the FAA survey, versus 1.7% predicted by the old curve.
Federal Aviation Administration, Overview of FAA's Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts (Federal Register notice) (Jan 2021)
Exact wording at the source
At a noise exposure level of DNL 50 dB, the updated Schultz Curve from the 1992 FICON Report indicated that 1.7 percent of people were highly annoyed, compared to between 15.4 percent and 23.4 percent within a 95 percent confidence limit from the NES.
26.10,000
The FAA survey mailed questionnaires to more than 10,000 residents living near 20 representative US airports.
Federal Aviation Administration, Neighborhood Environmental Survey (Aug 2023)
Exact wording at the source
FAA surveyed more than 10,000 residents living near 20 representative airports via a mailed questionnaire.
27.380,000
When Hong Kong moved its airport from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in 1998, the number of people affected by aircraft noise fell from 380,000 to about 200.
Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Noise: Controlling noise pollution (Mar 2024)
Exact wording at the source
The Kai Tak airport was surrounded by congested residential development and 380,000 people were affected by the extremely high aircraft landing and take-off noise.

Noise exposure in the United States and Canada

28.74 million
About 74 million people in the US, 23.1% of the 2018 population, were potentially exposed to aviation and road noise of at least 45 dB, the level of an office, over a 24-hour average.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Under a Quarter of Population Exposed to Office-Type Transportation Noise (Nov 2020)
Exact wording at the source
At these noise levels, 74 million people were potentially exposed to at least the noise of an office, 3.4% more than were potentially exposed in 2016, as defined by a 24-hour average sound level.
29.3.4%
The exposed US population grew 3.4% between 2016 and 2018 in the BTS National Transportation Noise Map.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Under a Quarter of Population Exposed to Office-Type Transportation Noise (Nov 2020)
Exact wording at the source
At these noise levels, 74 million people were potentially exposed to at least the noise of an office, 3.4% more than were potentially exposed in 2016, as defined by a 24-hour average sound level.
30.0.1%
At the loud end, about 0.1% of the US population was potentially exposed to transport noise comparable to a lawn mower or garbage disposal in 2018.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Under a Quarter of Population Exposed to Office-Type Transportation Noise (Nov 2020)
Exact wording at the source
Fewer than one-fourth of the 2018 U.S. population was potentially exposed to aviation and road noise, ranging from the equivalent of what people normally experience in offices at the low end (10% of population exposed) to a lawn mower or garbage disposal at the high end (0.1% exposure)
31.97 percent
In the first national noise map, using 2014 data, more than 97% of the US population had potential exposure to aviation and Interstate highway noise below 50 dB.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, BTS Releases National Transportation Noise Map (Mar 2017)
Exact wording at the source
Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) initial National Transportation Noise Map , released today, shows that more than 97 percent of the U.S. population has the potential to be exposed to noise from aviation and Interstate highways at levels below 50 decibels or roughly comparable to the noise level of a humming refrigerator.
32.8.5%
In a 2021 Health Canada survey of 6,647 adults, 8.5% reported high annoyance from road traffic noise, rising to 10.5% in urban areas.
Health Canada, A comparison of self-reported health status and perceptual responses toward environmental noise in rural, suburban, and urban regions in Canada (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
High annoyance toward road traffic noise was 8.5% overall, and significantly higher in urban (10.5%), relative to suburban (7.9%) and rural/remote (6.6%) areas (p < 0.0001).
33.7.8%
In the same Canadian survey, 7.8% of adults reported a high level of sleep disturbance over the previous 12 months, highest among urban residents at 9.8%.
Health Canada, A comparison of self-reported health status and perceptual responses toward environmental noise in rural, suburban, and urban regions in Canada (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
A high magnitude of non-specific sleep disturbance over the previous 12 months was reported by 7.8% overall; highest among urban dwellers (9.8%), followed by suburban (7.2%) and rural/remote (5.5%) dwellers (p < 0.01).
34.21.8%
Only 21.8% of urban Canadians had a high expectation of quiet where they live, compared with 58.2% of rural and remote residents.
Health Canada, A comparison of self-reported health status and perceptual responses toward environmental noise in rural, suburban, and urban regions in Canada (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
A high expectation of quiet was less prevalent yet followed the same pattern: rural/remote (58.2%), suburban (37.4%), and urban (21.8%).
35.1981
The US EPA stopped coordinating federal noise control in 1981, when its Office of Noise Abatement and Control was defunded and noise was left mainly to state and local governments.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act Title IV: Noise Pollution (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Through ONAC, the EPA coordinated all Federal noise control activities, but in 1981 the Administration concluded that noise issues were best handled at the State and local level.

Chart

Canadians with a high expectation of quiet where they live, by area, 2021

Same Health Canada survey, adults aged 18 and older.

Rural and remote58.2%
Suburban37.4%
Urban21.8%

Source: Health Canada, A comparison of self-reported health status and perceptual responses toward environmental noise in rural, suburban, and urban regions in Canada

Cities and countries: exposure, costs and fixes

36.680,000
About 680,000 people in Hong Kong are affected by excess road traffic noise, according to the city's Environmental Protection Department.
Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Noise: Controlling noise pollution (Mar 2024)
Exact wording at the source
Road Traffic Noise Road traffic noise is a concern because it still affects about 680,000 people (please see the " Spatial Distribution of Traffic Noise Problem in Hong Kong (Graphical version only) " for details).
37.460,000
Hong Kong has cut the number of people exposed to excess traffic noise by 460,000 over 20 years, from about 1.1 million in 2000, even as its population grew by 820,000.
Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Noise: Controlling noise pollution (Mar 2024)
Exact wording at the source
Through proactive participation in the planning and policy making processes and implementation of noise abatement measures, we have significantly reduced the number of people exposed to excess traffic noise by 460,000 even though the population has increased by 820,000, the road length by 200 kilometers and the number of vehicles by 290,000 in the subsequent 20 years.
38.115 kilometres
Hong Kong has built more than 115 km of roadside noise barriers and enclosures since 1990, benefiting about 390,000 people.
Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, Noise: Controlling noise pollution (Mar 2024)
Exact wording at the source
More than 115 kilometres of noise barriers and enclosures have been erected since 1990, benefiting some 390,000 people.
39.750,000
About 750,000 people in Switzerland are exposed to harmful or disruptive traffic noise, mostly from roads, according to a June 2026 federal audit.
Swiss Federal Audit Office, Implementation of key recommendations: measures against road noise (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In Switzerland, approximately 750,000 people are exposed to harmful or disruptive traffic noise – primarily road noise.
40.100 mn
Switzerland spent about CHF 100 million on reducing road noise in 2024, around CHF 24.5 million of it from the federal government.
Swiss Federal Audit Office, Implementation of key recommendations: measures against road noise (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
100 mn Swiss Francs approximately in 2024 on reducing road noise (around 24.5 mn by the Confederation)
41.CHF 2 billion
Road noise generates external costs of around CHF 2 billion a year in Switzerland, according to the Federal Office for the Environment.
Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Noise (Nov 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Despite improvements in protective measures, road noise remains a challenge to health and quality of life and generates external costs of around CHF 2 billion a year.
42.200,000
A Swiss federal railway noise program has protected around 200,000 people so far.
Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Noise (Nov 2025)
Exact wording at the source
To date, a comprehensive federal improvement programme has protected around 200,000 affected people.
43.£7 billion to £10 billion
The UK government estimates the annual social cost of urban road noise in England at £7 billion to £10 billion, similar to the cost of road accidents.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK), Noise pollution: economic analysis (Dec 2014)
Exact wording at the source
It is estimated that the annual social cost of urban road noise in England is £7 billion to £10 billion.
44.90 per cent
An estimated 90% of New York City mass transit users are exposed to noise above the recommended limit, UNEP reports.
UN Environment Programme, The world's cities must take on the cacophony of noise pollution (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
An estimated 90 per cent of New York City mass transit users are exposed to levels exceeding the recommended decibel limit.
45.78dB
Cyclists in Ho Chi Minh City are exposed to noise above 78 dB, a level UNEP says can cause irreversible hearing loss.
UN Environment Programme, The world's cities must take on the cacophony of noise pollution (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
In Ho Chi Minh City, cyclists are exposed to noise levels above 78dB, which can cause irreversible hearing loss.
46.12dB
Rows of trees planted behind highways have been reported to cut noise by up to 12 dB in some locations.
UN Environment Programme, The world's cities must take on the cacophony of noise pollution (Mar 2022)
Exact wording at the source
While the ultimate solution to noise pollution is its reduction, rows of trees planted behind highways have been reported to reduce noise levels by up to 12dB in certain locations.

Guideline limits and reduction targets

47.53dB
WHO's 2018 guidelines recommend keeping road traffic noise below 53 dB Lden and 45 dB at night, stricter than the EU's 55 dB reporting threshold.
European Environment Agency, Exposure of Europe's population to environmental noise (indicator) (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
For instance, the WHO recommends that noise exposure from road traffic should not exceed 53dB during the day-evening-night period and 45dB during the night to avoid adverse consequences on health.
48.45dB
For aircraft noise, the WHO guideline levels are 45 dB Lden and 40 dB at night.
European Environment Agency, Exposure of Europe's population to environmental noise (indicator) (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
The recommendations for aircraft are that noise levels should not exceed 45dB during the day-evening-night period and 40dB during the night.
49.30 A-weighted decibels
WHO community noise guidance recommends under 30 dB(A) in bedrooms at night for good sleep and under 35 dB(A) in classrooms.
WHO Regional Office for Europe, Noise (fact sheet) (Dec 2011)
Exact wording at the source
The WHO guidelines for community noise recommend less than 30 A-weighted decibels (dB(A)) in bedrooms during the night for a sleep of good quality and less than 35 dB(A) in classrooms to allow good teaching and learning conditions.
50.40 dB(A)
WHO's night noise guidelines recommend an annual average below 40 dB(A) outside bedrooms.
WHO Regional Office for Europe, Noise (fact sheet) (Dec 2011)
Exact wording at the source
The WHO guidelines for night noise recommend less than 40 dB(A) of annual average (Lnight) outside of bedrooms to prevent adverse health effects from night noise.
51.30%
The EU aims to cut the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030, compared with 2017.
European Commission, Noise (DG Environment) (2025)
Exact wording at the source
The European Commission proposed a policy target of reducing the share of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030 in the Zero Pollution Action Plan .
52.3%
The number of people highly annoyed by transport noise in the EU fell by only about 3% between 2017 and 2022, so the EEA says the 2030 target is unlikely to be met without new measures.
European Environment Agency, Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The number of people highly annoyed by transport noise in the EU declined only by an estimated 3% between 2017 and 2022, falling short of the pace needed to meet the zero-pollution noise reduction objective.

Questions readers ask

How many people are exposed to noise pollution in Europe?: About 112 million people in Europe, more than 20% of the population, are exposed to road, rail and aircraft noise above EU thresholds, according to the EEA. Measured against stricter WHO guideline levels, the figure rises to about 145 million, over 30% of the population.
How many deaths does noise pollution cause?: The EEA estimates that long-term transport noise contributes to about 73,000 premature deaths a year in Europe, along with 49,000 new cardiovascular disease cases and 23,000 cases of type 2 diabetes. It also estimates 1.5 million healthy life years lost each year.
What is the biggest source of noise pollution?: Road traffic. In Europe it exposes about 92 million people above 55 dB Lden, compared with 18 million for rail and 2.6 million for aircraft, according to the EEA.
What noise level does WHO recommend?: WHO's 2018 guidelines for Europe recommend keeping road traffic noise below 53 dB Lden and 45 dB at night, and aircraft noise below 45 dB Lden and 40 dB at night. For bedrooms, WHO community noise guidance recommends under 30 dB(A) at night.
How much does noise pollution cost?: The EEA puts the cost of transport noise in Europe at at least EUR 100 billion a year, about 0.6% of GDP. National estimates include CHF 2 billion a year for road noise in Switzerland and £7 billion to £10 billion a year for urban road noise in England.
How many Americans are exposed to transportation noise?: The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimated that about 74 million people, 23.1% of the 2018 US population, were potentially exposed to aviation and road noise of at least 45 dB over 24 hours. About 0.1% faced levels comparable to a lawn mower.

Where these numbers come from

We used primary sources only: the European Environment Agency, the European Commission, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, UNEP, EASA, the FAA, the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the US EPA, Health Canada, Germany's Environment Agency, Swiss federal agencies, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hong Kong's Environmental Protection Department and a peer-reviewed systematic review. European exposure figures come from strategic noise maps that cover only major roads, railways, airports and cities above 100,000 people, so they undercount total exposure. EEA health figures use the corrected March 2026 version of its 2025 report; the European Commission's 12,000 deaths figure uses an older method and should not be compared directly. US BTS figures are modeled worst-case potential exposure, and Canadian figures are self-reported annoyance. EU thresholds (55 dB Lden, 50 dB Lnight), WHO guideline values and US DNL levels are different metrics. Every quote was checked against the live source page on the date shown. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.

Sources

Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Under a Quarter of Population Exposed to Office-Type Transportation Noise (Nov 2020).
Bureau of Transportation Statistics. BTS Releases National Transportation Noise Map (Mar 2017).
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK). Noise pollution: economic analysis (Dec 2014).
European Commission. Noise (DG Environment) (2025).
European Environment Agency. Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (full report PDF, corrected March 2026) (Mar 2026).
European Environment Agency. Exposure of Europe's population to environmental noise (indicator) (Oct 2025).
European Environment Agency. Environmental noise in Europe 2025 (EEA report 05/2025, key messages) (Mar 2026).
European Union Aviation Safety Agency. European Aviation Environmental Report 2025: Noise (2025).
Federal Aviation Administration. Overview of FAA's Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts (Federal Register notice) (Jan 2021).
Federal Aviation Administration. Neighborhood Environmental Survey (Aug 2023).
German Environment Agency (UBA). Traffic noise can increase risk of depression and anxiety disorders (Apr 2023).
Health Canada. A comparison of self-reported health status and perceptual responses toward environmental noise in rural, suburban, and urban regions in Canada (Mar 2022).
Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department. Noise: Controlling noise pollution (Mar 2024).
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region: A Systematic Review on Environmental Noise and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects (Feb 2018).
Swiss Federal Audit Office. Implementation of key recommendations: measures against road noise (Jun 2026).
Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). Noise (Nov 2025).
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Clean Air Act Title IV: Noise Pollution (Mar 2026).
UN Environment Programme. Frontiers Report 2022: Listening to Cities (interactive) (Apr 2023).
UN Environment Programme. The world's cities must take on the cacophony of noise pollution (Mar 2022).
WHO Regional Office for Europe. Noise (fact sheet) (Dec 2011).
WHO Regional Office for Europe. New evidence from WHO on health effects of traffic-related noise in Europe (Mar 2011).

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HearSmart. (2026, November 7). Noise Pollution Statistics 2026. https://hearsmart.org/noise-pollution-statistics

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