Although the economy seems foggy, at least the air cleared up in 2018.

The Beijing Municipal Ecological Environmental Bureau on Friday released statistics (link in Chinese) on the capital’s overall air quality. The figures show that the average concentration of PM2.5 in Beijing last year was 12.1% less than it was in 2017.

The average concentration of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and PM10 also all dropped in 2018 compared with 2017, down 25.0%, 8.7% and 7.1% respectively.

The release also suggests that the occurrence of heavy pollution saw a significant drop in 2018. Last year was the first time since 2013 that there was no heavy pollution lasting three days or more in a row, and no heavy PM2.5 pollution for 195 consecutive days.

March and November were the most polluted months of the year. The northeastern part of the city had the best air, whereas the southwestern area was the most polluted.

Heavy pollution in 2018 was noted on 15 days in Beijing. In 2013, it occurred on 58 days (link in Chinese).

Related: Chart of the Day: Beijing’s Air Pollution Level Dips to New Low