Reported data on noise exposure covered by Directive 2002/49/EC, 2022, November 2024

The Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise (the Environmental Noise Directive – END, 2002/49/EC) is the main EU instrument to identify noise pollution levels and to trigger the necessary action both at Member State and at EU level. Data submitted by EEA member countries until 16/11/2024. This database contains information on the number of people exposed to 5 decibel (dB) bands for two indicators "Lden : 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, >75" and "Lnight. : 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, > 70". Additional noise bands below these reporting thresholds are provided by some countries on a voluntary basis . The database covers the noise sources specified in the END (major roads, major railways, major airports and urban agglomerations) and the corresponding number of people exposed to each of the noise sources inside urban areas and outside urban areas. Percentage of people exposed has also been calculated for comparative purposes. The reporting requirements were set to start as from 2005, and the reporting cycle specified in the END is 5 years, with the exposure data submitted in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022.