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The World Air Quality Report 2025 reveals alarming levels of air pollution worldwide, ranking Pakistan as the most polluted country, followed closely by Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad, and Congo. India ranks sixth globally, with several cities including Loni, Ghaziabad, and Delhi among the most polluted urban areas. The report, compiled by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, analyzed data from 9,446 cities across 143 countries, regions, and territories, providing a detailed view of global air quality trends.
World Air Quality Report 2025 Highlights Most Polluted Countries
According to the World Air Quality Report 2025, Pakistan leads the global rankings for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), while India, Bangladesh, and China follow closely. The report shows:
- Pakistan is the most polluted country by PM2.5
- India ranks sixth overall, with multiple cities in the top 10 most polluted
- Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad, and Congo also feature prominently
The findings underscore that South Asia remains the region with the highest exposure to air pollution, affecting millions of people’s health and daily lives.
World Air Quality Report 2025: Most Polluted Cities
The report identifies individual cities with the worst air quality in 2025. Notably:
- Loni, India: Most polluted city globally with an annual PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 µg/m³, 23% higher than 2024, over 22 times WHO guidelines
- Delhi, India: Fourth globally, facing serious air quality challenges
- Other Indian cities: Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya), Ghaziabad (UP), and Birnagar (West Bengal) also among the top 10
Across the world, the 25 most polluted cities were in India, Pakistan, and China, highlighting the concentration of urban air pollution in South Asia and East Asia.
Causes of Pollution According to World Air Quality Report 2025
Wildfires, industrial emissions, and fossil fuel usage were major contributors to air quality deterioration in 2025. Key findings include:
- Wildfires: Intensified by climate change, record biomass emissions occurred in Europe and Canada, producing around 1,380 megatonnes of carbon
- Dust storms: El Paso, US, saw a 46% rise in PM2.5 due to historic pre-summer dust storms
- Urban pollution: Southeast Los Angeles (Cudahy, East LA, Huntington Park) became the most polluted area in the US
IQAir CEO Frank Hammes emphasized that monitoring air quality is crucial, as it empowers communities to act and hold polluters accountable.
Impact of Wildfires on Global Air Quality
The World Air Quality Report 2025 highlights North America as significantly affected by wildfires:
- Canada’s second-worst wildfire season affected air quality across the US and parts of Europe
- Annual PM2.5 levels in the US rose to 7.3 µg/m³
- Seattle remained the cleanest major US city with 4.5 µg/m³
Wildfires combined with industrial pollution create severe regional air quality problems, demonstrating the interconnected nature of global pollution.
Air Pollution Trends Across Europe
Europe also experienced changes in PM2.5 levels in 2025:
- 23 countries recorded an increase in annual average PM2.5 concentrations
- 18 countries reported declines
- Switzerland and Greece saw increases over 30% due to wildfire smoke from North America and Saharan dust
- Malta recorded the largest decrease at nearly 24%
The report also noted that the end of the US State Department’s air quality monitoring program reduced access to data in 44 countries and left six without monitoring entirely.
Role of Communities and Technology in Improving Air Quality
The World Air Quality Report 2025 highlights the importance of:
- Expanding low-cost sensor networks
- Providing real-time data to communities and policymakers
- Reducing emissions from industrial, agricultural, and urban sources
Aidan Farrow, senior scientist at Greenpeace International, stated that transparent and open data is essential for holding polluters accountable and creating sustainable solutions for global air quality challenges.
FAQ – World Air Quality Report 2025
Q1: Which country is the most polluted according to the 2025 report?
A1: Pakistan ranks as the most polluted country by PM2.5 levels.
Q2: Which city is the most polluted in the world?
A2: Loni, India, recorded the highest annual PM2.5 concentration in 2025.
Q3: What caused the rise in global pollution in 2025?
A3: Wildfires, industrial emissions, fossil fuels, and dust storms were major contributors.
Q4: How many cities met the WHO PM2.5 guideline in 2025?
A4: Only 14% of global cities met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Conclusion
The World Air Quality Report 2025 highlights a growing global pollution crisis, with South Asia and specific urban areas experiencing the highest exposure. The report underscores the urgent need for expanded monitoring, emission reduction strategies, and international collaboration to improve air quality and safeguard public health.
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