Brian Barton
Air pollution is one of the biggest health problems of modern industrial society, causing nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019. It is a particular issue in emerging and developing countries, where environmental standards are often not met. The World Health Organization's recommended limit for air pollution is 10 micrograms per cubic meter, but in 2023, the most polluted country in the world had an average annual PM2.5 concentration almost 16 times higher than this guideline. That country was Bangladesh, with an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 80 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most polluted country in the world | Bangladesh (2023) |
| Average PM2.5 concentration | 79.9 µg/m³ (2023) |
| Average recommended PM2.5 concentration | 5 µg/m³ |
| Countries that meet the above recommendation | 7 |
| Countries with the highest PM2.5 levels | Chad (18 times the recommended amount) |
| Countries with the most polluted cities | India (6 out of 10) |
| Most polluted city in Europe | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Least polluted countries | French Polynesia, Mauritius, and Iceland |
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What You'll Learn
Poorer countries have dirtier air
According to a Swiss air quality technology company, IQAir, Bangladesh is the world's most polluted country with 79.9 µg/m³ of PM2.5 in 2023, followed by Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, and Iraq. PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can be inhaled and cause major health issues. These particles can remain in the air for extended periods and pose a significant risk to human health when present in high concentrations.
Bangladesh's high pollution levels are attributed to persistent traffic, construction activities, and industrial fumes, particularly from coal-fired brick kilns. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a recommended limit of 10 micrograms per cubic meter for PM2.5, but many countries exceed this guideline.
It is evident that poorer countries tend to have dirtier air than richer ones. This disparity is influenced by various factors, including weaker laws and less stringent vehicle emission standards in developing nations. Additionally, larger poor countries often have more vehicles on the road, with a higher proportion of older, more polluting models. Furthermore, poor nations frequently rely more on burning wood, coal, and kerosene for cooking and heating, contributing to household air pollution.
The impact of air pollution falls disproportionately on the poorest people within these countries. They often reside in cramped settlements near rubbish dumps or industrial areas, bearing the brunt of toxic fumes that affect their health and well-being. Indoor air quality in poor communities is also compromised due to the burning of solid fuels in poorly ventilated homes.
While some initiatives, such as India's Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme, have made progress in providing cleaner energy access to the poor, the overall inequality in air quality between rich and poor countries continues to widen. More than 90% of air pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with pollution killing approximately 7 million people annually.
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Bangladesh is the most polluted country
The high levels of pollution in Bangladesh are due to a variety of factors, including vehicle usage, industrial emissions, and population growth. The country has a large number of cars, motorbikes, buses, and trucks on the roads, emitting exhaust fumes. In addition, there is a lack of regulation regarding engine and motor quality, which has led to many older vehicles that emit higher levels of pollution being kept in use.
Bangladesh also has a high number of industrial factories and small-scale local businesses, particularly brick kilns, which contribute to the country's poor air quality. The capital city, Dhaka, is of prime focus for the country's pollution levels, with its growing population and high output of bricks.
The pollution in Bangladesh has a significant impact on the health of its residents. On average, air pollution shortens the life expectancy of Bangladeshi residents by 6.8 years, with some areas faring much worse. In Gazipur, the country's most polluted district, air pollution is estimated to shorten lives by 8.3 years. Even in the least polluted district of Sylhet, particulate pollution is 9.7 times the WHO PM2.5 guideline.
While Bangladesh is the most polluted country, it is important to note that air pollution is a significant problem in many other countries as well. Poor countries tend to have dirtier air and often lack the measuring stations to inform their citizens or drive policy changes. However, even within cleaner continents like Europe, there are huge disparities, with citizens of eastern European and non-EU Balkan countries breathing the most polluted air in the region.
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India: home to 6 of the 10 dirtiest cities
According to a recent report, India is home to 13 of the world's top 20 most polluted cities. This is a significant concern, as air pollution poses a serious health risk, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years. India's booming economic growth, largely driven by coal, and its congested megacities contribute to the country's air pollution levels.
While India has made efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy projects, it still ranks as the third most polluting country in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. The country's high population and industrial activities, particularly in certain provinces, have led to India occupying this position in global rankings.
India's neighbours, Bangladesh and Pakistan, are the second and third-most polluted countries globally in terms of PM2.5 molecules. PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can remain in the air for extended periods and pose major health risks when present in high concentrations.
The IQ Air report highlights that only 12 countries, regions, and territories recorded PM2.5 concentrations below the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The report urges governments to fund renewable energy initiatives and strengthen emission limits for vehicles and industrial activities to combat this critical issue.
India's air pollution problem is not limited to its cities, with rural areas also experiencing the negative consequences. The country has had legislation protecting air quality since 1981, but the burning of fossil fuels has intensified, underscoring the ongoing challenges in mitigating pollution.
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Air quality monitoring is worse in parts of Africa and West Asia
Air pollution is a significant issue in many parts of the world, and it is a major contributor to health problems and premature deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the recommended limit of PM2.5 (fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) is 10 micrograms per cubic meter, but many countries exceed this limit.
In 2023, Bangladesh was identified as the world's most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 80 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³). This issue is driven by persistent traffic, construction activities, and industrial fumes, particularly from brick kilns, which rely heavily on coal. However, it is worth noting that Bangladesh's emissions have decreased in recent years.
While this data provides a snapshot of air pollution globally, it is important to recognize that air quality monitoring is less prevalent in some regions, including parts of Africa and West Asia. Africa, for instance, experiences some of the worst air pollution and severe health consequences worldwide. In 2019, air pollution was the second leading risk factor for death across the continent, with more than 1.1 million deaths linked to exposure to air pollution. The death rate associated with air pollution in Africa is almost double the global average.
The lack of comprehensive air quality monitoring in Africa is concerning. According to a report by IQAir in 2022, only 19 African countries had the capability to monitor air quality, and there were only 156 stations providing data for the entire continent. This gap in monitoring can be attributed to significant gaps in state-run regulatory instrumentation in various parts of the world. However, low-cost air quality monitors are becoming more popular in low- and middle-income countries, helping to fill these critical gaps.
Some African countries are taking steps to address air pollution. For example, Egypt has implemented the Greater Cairo Air Pollution Management and Climate Change Project, which focuses on solid waste management and the introduction of electric buses and vehicles. Similarly, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia has developed its first Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), demonstrating a commitment to pollution reduction strategies.
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The United Arab Emirates joined the top 10 list of most polluted countries
Several factors contribute to air pollution, which is one of the most pressing health issues in modern industrial society. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for more than 10% of all deaths worldwide, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) being of particular concern due to its ability to infiltrate the bloodstream and damage organs. While air pollution is a pervasive issue in many countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has notably joined the ranks of the top 10 most polluted countries.
In 2015, the World Bank reported that the UAE had the most polluted air in the world, surpassing even notoriously polluted countries like India and China. This distinction was based on PM2.5 criteria, which measure minuscule airborne pollutants smaller than 2.5 microns. The UAE's air was found to contain 80 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter, higher than China's 73 micrograms and more than double India's 32. This placed the UAE in an unhealthy position, especially for sensitive groups such as young children, expectant mothers, the elderly, and the unwell.
The UAE's rapid development and urbanization have significantly impacted its environment. With a booming population of over 9 million, up from 300,000 in 1971, the country has become highly dependent on the international food market due to its semi-arid landscape, which hinders agricultural possibilities. This has resulted in overfishing and overgrazing, contributing to environmental degradation. Additionally, the country's wealth, largely derived from its substantial export of fossil fuels, has reduced its incentive to address global warming concerns proactively.
The UAE's energy sector has been a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with carbon dioxide emissions witnessing a stark increase from 60.8 million tons in 1990 to 146.9 million tons in 2008. In 2015, the energy sector accounted for approximately 50% of the country's total carbon dioxide emissions. While the UAE has begun taking steps towards rectifying its environmental issues, its rapid growth and industrialization continue to present challenges in mitigating pollution and preserving natural resources.
It is worth noting that air quality monitoring in parts of Africa and West Asia, including countries bordering the UAE, may be less comprehensive due to a lack of measuring stations. This could potentially impact the accuracy of regional rankings and highlights the need for more comprehensive data collection and analysis to fully understand the extent of air pollution in these regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 80 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) in 2023.
PM2.5 refers to fine particles that have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. These particles can stay in the air for long periods and are a major health risk when concentrations are high.
The high levels of pollution in Bangladesh are caused by persistent traffic, construction activities, and industrial fumes, especially from brick kilns, which rely heavily on coal.
The top three least polluted countries are French Polynesia, Mauritius, and Iceland. These countries typically have low populations and smaller industries, resulting in lower emissions.
Air pollution is responsible for more than 10% of all deaths worldwide, causing nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019 alone. It can affect multiple organs and systems in the body and has been linked to various health issues.
