Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a pressing issue in Europe, with virtually everyone on the continent living in areas where the air quality is below the World Health Organization's recommended limit. In 2022, 98% of Europeans lived in areas where the concentration of fine particulate matter exceeded the limit set by the WHO, and air pollution was responsible for 238,000 deaths in the EU in 2021 alone. While air quality has improved in Europe over the last three decades, certain cities continue to experience high levels of pollution, with Sarajevo and Skopje being the most polluted capital cities in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Information | 2025-07-04 |
| Source of Information | European Environment Agency's European city air quality viewer |
| Ranking Criteria | Risk of mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3) over the past two calendar years |
| Number of Cities in Database | 761 |
| Excluded Cities | Cities in ultramarine territories of France, Portugal, and Spain |
| Most Polluted Cities | Located in Italy, Poland, Croatia, and Greece |
| Worst Polluted City | Unknown, but PM2.5 concentration was roughly six times higher than World Health Organization guidelines |
| Italy's Pollution Statistics | 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the European Union; highly industrialized regions of Cremona, Turin (Torino), and Vicenza exceed the WHO's recommended PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 µg/m³ by 4 to 6 times |
| Poland's Pollution Statistics | 4 of the 15 most polluted cities in the European Union |
| Croatia and Greece's Pollution Statistics | Each have 1 city in the list of 15 most polluted cities in the European Union |
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What You'll Learn
- The most polluted capital city in Europe in 2023
- Italy is home to 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the EU
- Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory and heart disease
- The EEA's Air Quality Portal provides annual and monthly air quality values
- % of Europeans breathe air with unsafe pollution levels
The most polluted capital city in Europe in 2023
Poor air quality is a major issue in Europe, with more than 90% of the EU's urban population exposed to PM2.5 concentrations above WHO guidelines in 2021. Cities are ranked by default from the cleanest to the most polluted, based on the risk of mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3).
In 2023, Sarajevo was the most polluted capital city in Europe, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 28.4 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³). This level of air pollution was almost six times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country heavily reliant on coal for heating and electricity generation. Every year, thousands of premature deaths in the country are linked to air pollution exposure.
The second most polluted capital city in Europe in 2023 was Skopje, North Macedonia, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 24.6 μg/m³. Other polluted capital cities in Europe include Rome, Berlin, and Paris, which often have average annual PM2.5 levels double the recommended limits.
Italy is home to 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the European Union, with heavily industrialised regions such as Cremona, Turin, and Vicenza. All of these cities exceed the WHO's recommended PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 μg/m³ by 4 to 6 times.
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Italy is home to 9 of the 15 most polluted cities in the EU
Air pollution is a significant issue in Europe, with almost everyone on the continent breathing air that exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit. This has been linked to fatal health issues, including respiratory and heart disease, and lower life expectancy.
In 2024, Italy was home to nine of the 15 most polluted cities in the European Union, according to a list compiled by Smart Air. Poland had four cities on the list, while Croatia and Greece each had one. The cities in Italy that made the list were concentrated in the northern part of the country, particularly in the highly industrialised regions of Cremona, Turin (Torino), and Vicenza. These cities exceeded the WHO's recommended PM2.5 concentration limit of 5 µg/m³ by 4 to 6 times.
The high levels of pollution in these Italian cities can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the geography of the region plays a role, as the Po valley, where many of these cities are located, is surrounded by mountains, trapping pollution created by heavy traffic, industry, agricultural emissions, and residential heating.
The issue of air pollution is not unique to Italy, however. According to the European Environment Agency, policies to reduce air pollution have led to improved air quality in Europe over the last three decades. Despite this, air pollution still poses risks to health in many European cities. The EEA's European city air viewer allows users to check the air quality in their city and compare it with other cities across Europe. This tool ranks cities based on the risk of mortality associated with long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3).
While the European Parliament's Environment Committee has suggested adopting stricter WHO recommendations of 5 micrograms of fine particulate matter per cubic meter of air, the implementation of these rules is a challenge due to economic considerations.
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Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory and heart disease
Air pollution is a major cause of death worldwide, with 238,000 lives lost in the European Union in 2021 alone. Almost 98% of Europeans breathe air with unsafe pollution levels. While air quality has improved in Europe over the last three decades, air pollution still poses significant health risks in some European cities.
Particulate matter under 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5) is considered one of the most dangerous pollutants. These fine particles can penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, causing a range of diseases that often result in premature death. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with an elevated risk of early death, particularly from cardiovascular and respiratory causes, including heart disease, stroke, influenza, and pneumonia. Research has also linked year-round exposure to particle pollution to an increased risk of respiratory infections, worsening of existing heart disease, atherosclerosis, and COPD.
Short-term exposure to fine particles in the air can aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks, and acute bronchitis, and may also increase the risk of respiratory infections. Additionally, short-term exposures have been linked to heart attacks and abnormal heartbeats. Over time, breathing in these fine particles increases the chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease, or lung cancer. Older individuals are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, as the natural weakening of lung tissue and rib cage muscles puts additional stress on their lungs and hearts.
Indoor air quality is also a concern, as pollutant concentrations can be two to eight times higher than outdoor levels due to limited ventilation. Common indoor air pollutants include radon, smoke, lead dust, carbon monoxide, mould, and volatile organic compounds. Overall, air pollution poses a significant risk to respiratory and heart health, underscoring the importance of implementing measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
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The EEA's Air Quality Portal provides annual and monthly air quality values
The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides a wealth of information on air quality across Europe. The EEA's Air Quality Portal offers annual and monthly air quality values for urban areas within each country and specific cities. The portal also provides a table detailing the urban population exposed to air pollutant concentrations above selected EU air quality standards in the EEA member countries.
The Urban PM2.5 Atlas, Air Quality in European Cities 2023 Report, and the Urban NO2 Atlas provide city fact sheets. These fact sheets offer detailed insights into the spatial and sectoral contributions to air pollutants in each urban area. They also highlight how targeted local and national measures can effectively reduce these air pollutant levels.
The EEA's Air Quality Portal is an invaluable resource for those seeking detailed information on air quality across Europe. It provides up-to-date data on a range of air pollutants, including PM2.5, NO2, and O3. The portal also offers an interactive dashboard, allowing users to browse through the spatial and sectoral contributions to PM2.5 concentrations in cities.
The EEA's Air Quality Portal is part of a broader effort by the EEA to provide the public with information on air quality. The EEA also manages the European Air Quality Portal, which links to several databases on air pollutants in the EU, including AirBase, the public air quality database system of the EEA. Additionally, the EEA offers the Air Quality Index and Air Quality Index App, providing near real-time data for five key air pollutants across Europe.
The EEA's various tools and resources enable users to access comprehensive information on air quality in Europe, including annual and monthly air quality values. This data is essential for understanding the state of air quality and the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing air pollution. As air pollution poses serious health risks, with almost 98% of Europeans breathing air with unsafe pollution levels, the EEA's resources are vital for informing and guiding public health and environmental initiatives.
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98% of Europeans breathe air with unsafe pollution levels
Air pollution is a critical issue in Europe, with 98% of Europeans breathing air with unsafe pollution levels. A recent investigation by The Guardian revealed that almost everyone across the continent is living in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution, putting them at risk of various health problems and contributing to a significant number of deaths.
The analysis used cutting-edge methodologies, including satellite images and measurements from over 1,400 ground monitoring stations, to expose the dire situation of air quality in Europe. The findings indicate that fine particulate pollution, specifically PM2.5, is of significant concern. PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles primarily produced by burning fossil fuels, which can infiltrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, affecting multiple organs in the body.
Eastern Europe, including countries such as Serbia, Romania, Albania, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, faces more severe air pollution levels than Western Europe. In Italy, the Po Valley and surrounding northern regions also experience air pollution levels four times higher than the WHO guidelines for dangerous airborne particulates. Germany, Spain, and France also have significant populations living with air pollution levels exceeding WHO recommendations.
The European Parliament has recently taken steps to address this issue by voting to adopt the WHO guidelines on PM2.5 by 2035, aiming to reduce the legally binding limit for annual PM2.5 concentrations. However, experts emphasize the urgency of the situation, highlighting the growing body of evidence linking air pollution to various health issues, including heart and lung disease, cancer, diabetes, mental health issues, and cognitive impairment.
While policies to reduce air pollution have shown some improvements in Europe over the last few decades, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect the health and well-being of Europeans from the harmful effects of unsafe pollution levels.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a 2023 report by the European Data Journalism Network, several cities in Italy's Po valley, such as Milan, Padova, and Verona, were covered with pollution. The daily PM 2.5 average concentration in these cities surged above 75 micrograms per cubic meter.
PM 2.5 refers to fine particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers in diameter. These particles are considered one of the most dangerous pollutants as they penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, causing many related diseases, which usually result in premature deaths.
Air quality in Europe varies depending on the region and the time of year. While northern Italian cities like Cremona, Turin, and Vicenza have extremely high pollution levels, Europe's air quality is generally better than in other regions of the world.
Air pollution increases the risk of respiratory and heart disease and lowers life expectancy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 238,000 deaths in the European Union in 2021 were attributed to air pollution.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) provides an Air Quality Portal with annual and monthly air quality data for urban areas and specific cities. The EEA also offers an interactive map-based tool called the European city air quality viewer, which allows users to compare air quality in different cities across Europe.
