The latest World Air Quality Report 2025, released by Swiss air quality monitoring company IQAir, highlights alarming pollution levels across the globe. According to the report, India ranks as the 6th most polluted country in the world, while Loni in Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the most polluted city globally.
India Among Top Polluted Nations in World Air Quality Report
The report analyzed air quality data from 9,446 cities across 143 countries. It found that Pakistan ranks first, followed by Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. India stands at sixth place, reflecting ongoing concerns over air pollution levels.
Most Polluted Cities: India Dominates the List
Out of the top 10 most polluted cities worldwide, five are in India:
- Loni
- Byrnihat
- Delhi
- Ghaziabad
- Ula
Loni recorded an average PM2.5 level of 112.5 µg/m³, which is 22 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. Meanwhile, Delhi ranks as the fourth most polluted city globally, continuing its struggle with severe air quality issues.
Global Pollution Trends
The report reveals mixed trends worldwide:
- 54 countries saw an increase in PM2.5 levels
- 75 countries reported improvements
- 2 countries showed no change
- 12 new countries were added to the dataset
Only 14% of cities globally met WHO air quality standards, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Wildfires Drive Pollution Surge
A key factor behind rising pollution in 2025 was climate change-induced wildfires. Regions such as Europe and Canada experienced record biomass emissions, contributing to 1,380 megatons of carbon emissions. These events significantly worsened global air quality.
Impact in the US and Europe of World Air Quality Report
The report also highlights pollution trends in developed regions:
- In the United States, average PM2.5 rose to 7.3 µg/m³
- El Paso was the most polluted city in the US
- Seattle recorded the cleanest air
In Europe, 23 countries saw pollution increases, while 18 countries reported improvements.
Monitoring Gaps Raise Concerns
The shutdown of the US global air quality monitoring program in March 2025 has raised serious concerns. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA):
- 44 countries now have weaker monitoring systems
- 6 countries lack any air quality monitoring entirely
Conclusion
The World Air Quality Report 2025 paints a concerning picture of global pollution, with India prominently featured among the most affected regions. Rising PM2.5 levels, climate-driven wildfires, and gaps in monitoring systems highlight the urgent need for stronger environmental policies and global cooperation to tackle air pollution.