Air pollution is a global issue, and while some nations have made great strides in improving air quality, many others are still struggling with dangerous levels of air contamination.
According to data from IQAir, which tracks air pollution using PM2.5 levels, certain countries have far worse air quality than others, putting their residents’ health at serious risk.
Here’s a look at 20 countries with the most hazardous air pollution based on the concentration of PM2.5.
1. Bangladesh
Bangladesh holds the unfortunate title of having the worst air quality in the world, with particularly alarming levels of PM2.5.
The combination of rapid urbanization, industrial emissions, and the burning of biomass for cooking and heating contributes significantly to air pollution.
The capital, Dhaka, often experiences a thick smog due to vehicle emissions, brick kilns, and construction dust. The country’s lack of regulatory enforcement worsens the situation.
2. India
India’s air pollution crisis is dire, with an overwhelming number of the world’s most polluted cities concentrated here.
Major contributors include extensive vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and agricultural practices like crop burning. The winter months see a significant increase in air pollution due to smog and fog.
Cities like New Delhi suffer from dangerous levels of PM2.5, which can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Air pollution contributes to a high rate of premature deaths in the country.
3. Pakistan
Pakistan’s air quality is critically poor, particularly in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. The burning of fossil fuels, industrial pollutants, and crop residue burning during harvest seasons are the primary causes.
Additionally, poor waste management systems and an increase in motor vehicle numbers only exacerbate the pollution.
The situation is worsened by dust storms and weather patterns that trap pollution in the air, making it hazardous for the population.
4. Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s air pollution is a result of multiple factors, including the widespread use of low-quality fuels for heating and cooking, which emits harmful pollutants.
Kabul, the capital, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The winter months are particularly bad, as people burn coal and wood in poorly ventilated homes.
The dry, dusty environment also contributes to particulate matter in the air, worsening the health risks for residents.
5. Nepal
Nepal, especially Kathmandu, faces severe air pollution. The use of inefficient stoves for cooking, coupled with a growing number of vehicles and industrial emissions, has led to consistently high levels of PM2.5.
During the winter, the air quality deteriorates further due to the widespread burning of biomass for heat.
Additionally, dust from the Himalayas and nearby roads contributes to hazardous air quality. The pollution significantly impacts public health, with a rise in respiratory issues among the population.
6. China
China has made remarkable strides in reducing air pollution in recent years, but it still faces high levels of PM2.5 in several industrial cities.
The use of coal for heating, emissions from factories, and vehicle exhausts are significant contributors.
Air pollution is often exacerbated by China’s geography, which traps smog in urban areas.
While the government has taken steps to reduce pollution, such as investing in renewable energy, pollution still reaches hazardous levels in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin.
7. Indonesia
Indonesia faces hazardous air pollution levels due to forest fires, particularly in the months of July and October.
These fires, often set intentionally for agricultural purposes, release a large amount of particulate matter into the atmosphere, causing haze that severely impacts air quality.
Besides that, urban areas like Jakarta suffer from high levels of pollution due to vehicular emissions and industrial activity.
The combination of natural and anthropogenic sources creates one of Southeast Asia’s most polluted environments.
8. Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, regularly experiences some of the worst air quality in the world, particularly in winter.
The city’s severe winter temperatures force people to burn coal and other cheap fuels to heat their homes, which significantly increases the levels of harmful particulate matter in the air.
In addition to household pollution, industrial emissions and dust storms also contribute to the hazardous air quality.
With many people living in poorly insulated homes, the problem is especially dire for vulnerable populations.
9. Egypt
In Egypt, cities like Cairo face some of the worst air pollution in the region. The country’s growing industrial activity, coupled with high levels of traffic congestion, contributes to high concentrations of particulate matter in the air.
The hot and dry climate exacerbates the situation, as dust storms frequently add to the pollution.
Additionally, the burning of agricultural waste, primarily rice straw, increases the amount of smoke and pollutants in the air, especially during the harvest season.
10. Mexico
Mexico City, with its high population density and rapid industrialization, struggles with persistent air pollution.
Due to its location in a valley, the city is often a “trap” for pollution, as weather conditions do not allow it to disperse easily.
Vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants are the primary sources of the pollution. During the winter months, air quality worsens due to the use of low-quality fuels for heating.
Efforts to improve air quality have included car restrictions and the promotion of cleaner fuels, but the problem remains severe.
11. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia faces hazardous air pollution, particularly in its cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. Industrial emissions, especially from the oil industry, contribute significantly to air contamination.
Dust storms are another major source of pollution in this arid country. Additionally, the rapid urbanization and increasing number of vehicles in cities exacerbate the pollution problem.
While the government has implemented some measures to curb air pollution, the country still struggles with consistently high PM2.5 levels.
12. Nigeria
Nigeria’s air quality is dangerously poor, particularly in urban areas like Lagos. The use of low-quality fuels for cooking, industrial emissions, and a rising number of vehicles contribute to the high pollution levels.
Additionally, deforestation and open-air burning of agricultural waste increase the amount of smoke in the atmosphere.
The country’s lack of regulatory enforcement and the widespread use of diesel generators in power outages also contribute to the poor air quality.
13. Iraq
Iraq faces severe air pollution, especially in cities like Baghdad, due to industrial activity, vehicle emissions, and sandstorms.
The country’s oil industry also contributes to high levels of air pollution, as well as the burning of fossil fuels for power generation.
The combination of natural factors, like dust from the desert, and man-made factors has made Iraq one of the most polluted countries in the Middle East.
14. Turkey
Air pollution is a growing concern in Turkey, especially in its major cities like Istanbul and Ankara.
Industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and the burning of coal for heating are primary contributors to the hazardous air quality.
In winter, the use of coal and wood-burning stoves worsens the situation, while the country’s geographical location can trap pollutants.
Although the government has introduced air quality monitoring systems, the problem remains significant.
15. South Korea
South Korea faces high levels of air pollution, particularly in cities like Seoul. Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and pollution from neighboring countries like China all contribute to the deteriorating air quality.
Additionally, seasonal dust from the desert and forest fires in neighboring regions further exacerbate the situation.
South Korea has implemented some measures to improve air quality, but pollution levels still remain dangerously high.
16. Qatar
Qatar has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the Gulf region. Industrial emissions from the oil and gas sector, vehicle pollution, and dust storms contribute to the high concentration of harmful particles in the air.
The rapid development and urbanization of the country have intensified the pollution levels, particularly in major cities like Doha.
17. United Arab Emirates
The UAE experiences hazardous air quality, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and dust from the desert contribute to the high levels of particulate matter.
The rapid urbanization and construction boom in recent years have only worsened the situation. Additionally, the country’s hot climate exacerbates the concentration of pollutants in the air.
18. Jordan
Jordan’s air quality is particularly poor in cities like Amman, where industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and dust from surrounding deserts contribute to high PM2.5 levels.
The widespread use of cheap, low-quality fuels for heating during the winter months worsens the problem.
While efforts have been made to reduce emissions, air pollution remains a significant health risk in urban areas.
19. Kuwait
Kuwait faces hazardous air pollution due to emissions from the oil industry, vehicle exhaust, and dust storms from the desert. The country’s hot, arid climate traps pollutants, worsening the air quality.
The rapid expansion of the country’s industrial sector has contributed to increasing pollution levels, while the use of air conditioning systems in homes and businesses contributes to higher energy consumption and more pollutants in the air.
20. Algeria
Air quality in Algeria is poor, particularly in cities like Algiers. Industrial activity, vehicle emissions, and dust storms contribute to high levels of particulate matter in the air.
The country’s lack of stringent environmental regulations and the widespread use of low-quality fuels exacerbate the pollution problem.
Additionally, Algeria’s hot, dry climate makes it harder for pollutants to disperse, trapping harmful particles in the air.
Alicia Richards