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Pakistan Leads 2025 Global Pollution Rankings
(MENAFN) Pakistan has claimed the grim distinction of being the world's most polluted nation in 2025, with Bangladesh and Tajikistan close behind, according to fresh air quality data released Tuesday by Swiss monitoring firm IQAir.
The South Asian country recorded PM2.5 concentrations — microscopic airborne particles linked to severe respiratory and cardiovascular disease — at levels up to 13 times beyond what the World Health Organisation (WHO) deems safe, the firm's annual global report revealed.
The five most contaminated nations, ranked by annual average PM2.5 readings, were Pakistan at 67.3 µg/m³, Bangladesh at 66.1 µg/m³, Tajikistan at 57.3 µg/m³, Chad at 53.6 µg/m³, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 50.2 µg/m³.
Most Polluted Cities
India's sprawling northern city of Loni, in Uttar Pradesh, registered the highest urban pollution reading globally — an annual PM2.5 average of 112.5 µg/m³, representing a nearly 23% deterioration from 2024 figures and exceeding the WHO benchmark by more than 22 times. All 25 of the world's most polluted cities were concentrated across India, Pakistan, and China, with India accounting for three of the four worst-ranked urban centers.
Within the United States, El Paso, Texas, carried the heaviest pollution burden among major cities, while Southeast Los Angeles, California, topped the regional rankings. At the other end of the spectrum, Seattle, Washington, earned recognition as the cleanest major American city.
The Cleaner End of the Scale
South Africa's Nieuwoudtville emerged as the world's purest urban air destination, posting an annual PM2.5 reading of just 1.0 µg/m³. Globally, 13 countries and territories managed to stay within the WHO's 5 µg/m³ threshold in 2025 — nearly double the seven that achieved the same benchmark in 2024. That group includes French Polynesia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Barbados, New Caledonia, Iceland, Bermuda, Reunion, Andorra, Australia, Grenada, Panama, and Estonia.
Yet the broader picture remains alarming. Only 14% of cities worldwide met the WHO air quality standard this year, a decline from 17% in 2024, while an overwhelming 91% of countries and territories — 130 out of 143 — surpassed safe pollution thresholds.
IQAir's 2025 findings draw on data collected from monitoring stations spanning 9,446 cities across 143 countries, regions, and territories — the most comprehensive snapshot yet of the planet's deteriorating air quality crisis.
The South Asian country recorded PM2.5 concentrations — microscopic airborne particles linked to severe respiratory and cardiovascular disease — at levels up to 13 times beyond what the World Health Organisation (WHO) deems safe, the firm's annual global report revealed.
The five most contaminated nations, ranked by annual average PM2.5 readings, were Pakistan at 67.3 µg/m³, Bangladesh at 66.1 µg/m³, Tajikistan at 57.3 µg/m³, Chad at 53.6 µg/m³, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 50.2 µg/m³.
Most Polluted Cities
India's sprawling northern city of Loni, in Uttar Pradesh, registered the highest urban pollution reading globally — an annual PM2.5 average of 112.5 µg/m³, representing a nearly 23% deterioration from 2024 figures and exceeding the WHO benchmark by more than 22 times. All 25 of the world's most polluted cities were concentrated across India, Pakistan, and China, with India accounting for three of the four worst-ranked urban centers.
Within the United States, El Paso, Texas, carried the heaviest pollution burden among major cities, while Southeast Los Angeles, California, topped the regional rankings. At the other end of the spectrum, Seattle, Washington, earned recognition as the cleanest major American city.
The Cleaner End of the Scale
South Africa's Nieuwoudtville emerged as the world's purest urban air destination, posting an annual PM2.5 reading of just 1.0 µg/m³. Globally, 13 countries and territories managed to stay within the WHO's 5 µg/m³ threshold in 2025 — nearly double the seven that achieved the same benchmark in 2024. That group includes French Polynesia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Barbados, New Caledonia, Iceland, Bermuda, Reunion, Andorra, Australia, Grenada, Panama, and Estonia.
Yet the broader picture remains alarming. Only 14% of cities worldwide met the WHO air quality standard this year, a decline from 17% in 2024, while an overwhelming 91% of countries and territories — 130 out of 143 — surpassed safe pollution thresholds.
IQAir's 2025 findings draw on data collected from monitoring stations spanning 9,446 cities across 143 countries, regions, and territories — the most comprehensive snapshot yet of the planet's deteriorating air quality crisis.
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