Countries with the Worst Air Pollution (PM2.5) 2024

About This Dataset

Countries ranked by annual mean PM2.5 concentration in micrograms per cubic metre in 2024 according to IQAir World Air Quality Report. South Asian and Central African nations consistently record the world's worst air quality, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India frequently topping the list of most polluted countries. AI-assisted data.

✨ AI Insight

The data underscores a significant air quality disparity, particularly in South Asia, where Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India dominate the rankings with PM2.5 levels far exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 5 μg/m³. Bangladesh's pollution level of 79.9 μg/m³ is alarming, nearly 16 times higher than the safe threshold. The gap between the top three countries and the rest is stark, with Tajikistan at 51.6 μg/m³ and Burkina Faso at 50.0 μg/m³ trailing significantly. This trend suggests systemic issues such as industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and inadequate regulatory frameworks in these regions. The persistence of these high levels raises concerns about long-term health effects and environmental sustainability.

Source: IQAir

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Bangladesh leads with 80 in 2024.

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Average value in 2024: 56 · median: 51.

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Gap in 2024: Bangladesh is 1.9× larger than Egypt.