Air Quality in Folkestone and Hythe
Maximum modelled annual-mean 8 μg/m³ PM2.5 and 17 μg/m³ NO2 in Folkestone and Hythe (DEFRA 2024), with ONS life expectancy of 81.1 years. Part of Kent.
What is the air quality in Folkestone and Hythe?
In Folkestone and Hythe, the highest modelled annual-mean concentrations in 2024 were 8 μg/m³ for PM2.5 and 17 μg/m³ for NO2, per DEFRA's UK-AIR Local Authority compliance data, and ONS life expectancy at birth is 81.1 years. The WHO 2021 annual-mean guidelines are 5 μg/m³ (PM2.5) and 10 μg/m³ (NO2).
| Pollutant | Folkestone and Hythe (max annual mean) | Compliance | WHO 2021 | UK limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 8 μg/m³ | Compliant | 5 μg/m³ | 20 μg/m³ |
| NO2 | 17 μg/m³ | Compliant | 10 μg/m³ | 40 μg/m³ |
Folkestone and Hythe within Kent
Kent scores 67.1/100 on the Gera Healthy-Place Index (rank 49), with 100.0% of GP practices rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC and life expectancy of 81.7 years.
See the full Healthy-Place profile for Kent →Air quality in Folkestone and Hythe: FAQs
- What is the air pollution level in Folkestone and Hythe?
- The maximum modelled annual-mean air pollution in Folkestone and Hythe in 2024 was 8 μg/m³ for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and 17 μg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), from DEFRA UK-AIR compliance data. DEFRA reports the maximum across the authority for limit-value assessment; the WHO 2021 guideline annual means are 5 μg/m³ (PM2.5) and 10 μg/m³ (NO2).
- What is the life expectancy in Folkestone and Hythe?
- Life expectancy at birth in Folkestone and Hythe is 81.1 years (combined male and female, ONS). This is a population period estimate, not a prediction for any individual.
- Where does Folkestone and Hythe sit within the Healthy-Place ranking?
- Folkestone and Hythe is a lower-tier district within Kent, which scores 67.1/100 on the Gera Healthy-Place Index (rank 49) and has 100.0% of GP practices rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC. The Healthy-Place Index is computed at upper-tier authority level because air, life expectancy and GP-access data align there.
Healthcare in Folkestone and Hythe
A GeraClinic UK-registered clinician can see you by secure video from anywhere in the UK — useful for air-quality-related concerns such as asthma or COPD.
Contains public sector information published by Gera Systems and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (source data). Source: Gera Healthy-Place Index — composite of DEFRA + ONS + CQC open data (Air 2024 calendar year; life expectancy 2017-19; GP ratings 2026-06-01, published 19 June 2026).