Air pollution remains a critical global issue, with new data revealing that only seven countries met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality guidelines in 2024. The alarming report, compiled by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, highlights how pollution levels continue to pose severe health risks, especially in developing nations.
The World’s Most Polluted Countries
According to IQAir’s analysis, Chad and Bangladesh were the most polluted countries in 2024, recording smog levels over 15 times higher than the WHO’s recommended limit. Following closely behind were Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India. These nations are struggling with worsening air quality due to factors such as industrial emissions, agricultural burning, and natural dust storms.
In contrast, only a handful of countries successfully maintained clean air. Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland were the only nations that met WHO’s strict air quality standards.
U.S. Cuts Global Air Quality Monitoring Program
One of the biggest setbacks in the fight against pollution came with the recent decision by the U.S. government to shut down its long-running air quality monitoring program. For over 17 years, many developing countries relied on air quality sensors placed at U.S. embassies and consulates to track pollution levels in real time. However, due to budget cuts, this data has now been removed from the official U.S. government website, airnow.gov.
This decision is expected to severely impact pollution monitoring, particularly in Africa, where alternative data sources are scarce. Christi Chester-Schroeder, an air quality expert at IQAir, warned that losing access to this data will make it much harder for countries to take informed action against pollution.
India’s Air Quality: Some Improvement, But Still a Crisis
India ranked as the fifth most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter—far exceeding WHO’s recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. While this marked a 7% improvement from the previous year, pollution remains a significant issue.
The Indian city of Byrnihat recorded the worst air quality globally, with PM2.5 levels reaching 128 micrograms per cubic meter. Industrial activity, vehicle emissions, and crop burning continue to contribute to hazardous air pollution across the country.
Climate Change and Rising Pollution
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying air pollution levels worldwide. Rising temperatures are fueling more frequent and severe wildfires, releasing dangerous particles into the atmosphere. This is particularly evident in regions like Southeast Asia and South America, where wildfires are becoming increasingly difficult to control.
Dr. Christa Hasenkopf, director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), emphasized that shutting down the U.S. air quality monitoring program will have long-term consequences. At least 34 countries will now struggle to access reliable pollution data, making global efforts to combat air pollution even more challenging.
A Setback for Global Air Quality Efforts
The loss of crucial pollution data is expected to hinder international efforts to tackle smog-related health issues. Experts argue that monitoring air quality is essential for improving public health, as cleaner air can significantly boost life expectancy. The U.S. air monitoring program previously played a key role in improving air quality in cities where its sensors were deployed.
