Ranked: The Countries With the Most Air Pollution in 2023

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

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By Marcus Lu

Almost the entire global population breathes air that exceeds the air quality limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this graphic, we map the world’s most polluted countries according to IQAir, ranked by their annual average PM2.5 concentration (μg/m³) in 2023. The unit μg/m³ refers to micrograms per cubic meter.

What is PM2.5?

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, that can travel deep into your lungs and cause health problems.

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its air quality guidelines for PM2.5. The recommended maximum annual average level for PM2.5 is now 5 μg/m³, down from the previous target of 10 μg/m³.

Common sources of PM2.5 pollution include engine exhaust, power plant combustion, smoke from fires, dust, and dirt.

How Does PM2.5 Pollution Affect Humans?

Research published in 2022 from the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) found that 97.3% of the world’s population is exposed to levels of PM2.5 that exceed the WHO guidelines.

This takes 2.2 years off the global average life expectancy, relative to a world that met the WHO guideline.

In South Asia specifically, the AQLI believes residents could be losing up to 5 years off their lives. The region has been a global hotspot of air pollution for years, home to 37 of the 40 most polluted cities in the world.

Rank Country Annual average
PM2.5 concentration
1 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 79.9
2 🇵🇰 Pakistan 73.7
3 🇮🇳 India 54.4
4 🇹🇯 Tajikistan 49.0
5 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso 46.6
6 🇮🇶 Iraq 43.8
7 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates 43.0
8 🇳🇵 Nepal 42.4
9 🇪🇬 Egypt 42.4
10 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo 40.8
11 🇰🇼 Kuwait 39.9
12 🇧🇭 Bahrain 39.2
13 🇶🇦 Qatar 37.6
14 🇮🇩 Indonesia 37.1
15 🇷🇼 Rwanda 36.8
16 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe 33.3
17 🇬🇭 Ghana 33.2
18 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan 33.1
19 🇨🇳 China 32.5
20 🇱🇾 Libya 30.4
Interestingly, fine particulate matter can travel hundreds of kilometers, often crossing national boundaries.

For instance, approximately 30% of air pollution in the Indian state of Punjab originates from neighboring Pakistan. Similarly, an estimated 30% of pollution in Bangladesh’s largest cities is traced back to India.

Source: Visual Capitalist 

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