Overview
- The WMO reports the Antarctic ozone hole was smaller in 2024, peaking on September 29 with a 46.1 million‑tonne ozone deficit, below the 1990–2020 average.
- UN Environment projects a return to 1980 ozone levels if policies hold, with timelines of about 2066 over Antarctica, 2045 over the Arctic, and 2040 for the rest of the world.
- Copernicus observations show the 2025 hole developed earlier and measured roughly 15 million km² at a comparable date, exceeding 2024 at the same point in the season.
- The Montreal Protocol has eliminated more than 99% of production and consumption of key ozone‑depleting substances, underpinning the recovery trend.
- Restoration of the ozone layer is expected to cut UV‑related health risks and ecological damage, while natural variability such as El Niño and solar cycles can drive year‑to‑year fluctuations.