Helena Joyce
Air pollution is a significant global health problem, causing over 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019, according to The Lancet. It is a particular issue in emerging and developing countries, where environmental standards are often not met. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that annual mean PM2.5 concentrations should not exceed 5 µg/m³, yet the most polluted country in the world, Bangladesh, had an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 80 µg/m³ in 2023. This was largely due to persistent traffic, construction activities, and industrial fumes, particularly from coal-powered brick kilns. India, which has the world's biggest industrial and commercial power, is the third most polluted country, with fourteen out of the world's fifteen most contaminated cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country with the worst air pollution | Bangladesh |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Bangladesh | 80 µg/m³ in 2023, 79.9 µg/m³ in 2021 |
| World Health Organization's recommended limit for PM2.5 concentration | 10 µg/m³ |
| Causes of high pollution in Bangladesh | Persistent traffic, construction activities, industrial fumes, brick kilns |
| Global deaths due to air pollution in 2019 | Nearly 4.5 million premature deaths |
| Countries with the highest CO2 emissions | China, the United States, and India |
| European country with the highest CO2 emissions | Germany |
| Countries with the highest carbon footprint per capita | Located in the Arabian Peninsula |
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What You'll Learn
Bangladesh is the most polluted country
Bangladesh is the world's most polluted country. The air pollution in Bangladesh is so severe that it shortens the average resident's life expectancy by 6.8 years, relative to the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline of 5 µg/m³. The PM2.5 reading in Bangladesh was 83.30 µg/m³ in 2019, which is significantly higher than the WHO-recommended limit of 10 µg/m³. Even in the least polluted district of Sylhet, the particulate pollution level is 9.7 times the WHO guideline and 3.2 times the national standard of 15 µg/m³.
The country's capital, Dhaka, is a major contributor to Bangladesh's poor air quality. The city's high population density, coupled with a large number of vehicles and industries, leads to disastrous levels of smoke, haze, and pollutants in the atmosphere. Dhaka is also known for its high output of bricks, producing well over a billion bricks per year, which contributes to the city's poor air quality.
Vehicle usage is another significant factor in Bangladesh's pollution levels. The country has a vast number of cars, motorbikes, buses, and trucks that emit large amounts of exhaust fumes. Additionally, there is a lack of regulation regarding engine and motor quality, leading to the use of older vehicles that run on fossil fuels such as diesel and emit black soot, sulfur, and other toxic compounds and gases.
Industrial emissions also play a role in Bangladesh's poor air quality. The country has heavy concentrations of both factories and small-scale local businesses, particularly brick kilns, which contribute to the high levels of pollution. While there are natural areas of pristine beauty and clean air in rural parts of Bangladesh, the overall pollution levels are severely affecting the health and life expectancy of its residents.
To address its position as the world's most polluted country, Bangladesh will need a highly concentrated collective effort from both the government and citizens. This includes implementing fines and punishments for exceeding air pollution levels, educating the general population about the harmful effects of pollution, improving engine and motor regulations, and transitioning to cleaner fuel sources. While it may seem daunting, significant improvements can be made through these collective efforts.
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CO2 emissions, per capita, and ecological footprint
CO2 emissions are strongly linked to income and prosperity. The countries with the highest standards of living tend to have the highest carbon footprint. The largest per-capita CO2 emitters are the major oil-producing countries, particularly those with relatively low populations, such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. However, because of their small populations, their total annual emissions are low. More populous countries with high per-capita emissions include the United States, Australia, and Canada, which have emissions that are around three times higher than the global average. The average American or Australian produces the same amount of emissions in under two days as the average person in Mali or Niger does in an entire year.
In 2020, China was the world's largest CO2 emitter, emitting more than one-quarter of global emissions. North America, dominated by the United States, was the second-largest emitter, producing one-fourth of global emissions. India and Brazil are also large annual emitters, although not large historical contributors. Asia, as a whole, is the largest emitter, accounting for around half of global emissions. However, because Asia is home to almost 60% of the world's population, its per-capita emissions are slightly lower than the world average.
An ecological footprint is the amount of resources needed by a person or population, and it takes into account biocapacity, which is the ability of nature to provide resources and absorb waste. In 2024, the world-average ecological footprint was 2.6 global hectares per person, with an average biocapacity of 1.5 global hectares. This means that humanity's consumption of natural resources is currently outpacing the Earth's ability to replenish those resources. China had an ecological footprint of 3.5 hectares per capita and a biocapacity of 0.8 per capita in 2024, with a total ecological footprint of 5.1 billion gha, the highest of any country in the world. The United States had an ecological footprint of 7.8 gha per capita in 2024, one of the highest in the world, with a biocapacity per capita of 3.7 hectares. This leads to a total ecological deficit of -1.4 billion hectares. The average US citizen’s ecological footprint is about 50% larger than that of the average person in most European countries. India's total ecological footprint is 1.5 billion gha, the third highest of any country in the world. In 2024, Russia maintained an ecological reserve, a rarity among major nations. With a total ecological footprint of 848 million global hectares (gha) and a per capita footprint of 5.8 gha, it consumed fewer resources than its ecosystems could regenerate. Brazil had one of the world's most significant ecological reserves in 2024, thanks to its vast natural ecosystems and relatively modest resource consumption.
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Air pollution's impact on health
Air pollution is a significant health concern, responsible for over 10% of deaths worldwide (nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019). It can affect almost every organ and system in the human body. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract, but some pollutants are small enough to penetrate the bloodstream and impact other organs.
The health effects of air pollution vary depending on the type of pollutant, the length and level of exposure, and individual health risks. Short-term exposure to high levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac problems, and hospital admissions. Long-term exposure increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can impair blood vessel function and speed up the calcification of arteries. Other pollutants of concern include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are more susceptible to air pollution-related diseases. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births. Research has also found a link between living near major roadways and an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Additionally, occupational exposure to benzene, an industrial chemical, is associated with leukemia and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Air pollution also disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color due to historical racist zoning policies and discriminatory lending practices, resulting in health and economic consequences for residents. The transition to cleaner fuels and industrial processes, such as renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, is crucial for improving air quality and mitigating the health impacts of air pollution.
While the focus is often on outdoor air pollution, it is important to recognize that indoor air pollution also poses significant health risks. Household air pollution, caused by fuels and technologies used in the home, can lead to burns, poisonings, and physical injuries related to fuel collection. The health impacts of indoor air pollution can be similar to those of outdoor pollution, with fine particulate matter being a common critical pollutant in both contexts.
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India's efforts to reduce emissions
India is one of the most polluted countries in the world. In 2021, the country emitted 2.7 billion metric tons of CO2, accounting for 7% of the global total and ranking third globally. As a developing country, India has argued against higher emission reduction targets, citing the unchecked fossil fuel usage of industrialized nations. However, India has made notable progress in reducing its emissions intensity and promoting renewable energy sources.
India's emissions intensity, the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted for every unit increase in gross domestic product (GDP), decreased by 33% from 2005 to 2019. This reduction was largely due to the government's push towards renewable energy sources and an increase in forest cover. India's average annual rate of reduction in emissions increased to 3% between 2016 and 2019, up from 1.5% in the previous two years.
India has ambitious renewable energy plans outlined in the National Electricity Plan 2023 (NEP2023). The country aims for a share of installed capacity of 57% and 66% in 2026-27 and 2031-32, respectively. India has also ramped up its non-fossil electricity generation capacity since 2016, with renewables comprising three-quarters of the increase in total electricity generation capacity. Solar energy has played a significant role, accounting for more than half of the total increase in renewables.
Additionally, India has committed to transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), with a particular focus on two and three-wheelers. The country mandated that all new two-wheelers be electric by 2026, and electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers comprised over 80% of new EV sales in 2023-24. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme has been crucial to this transition, providing increased funding for electric public buses and charging infrastructure.
While India has made significant strides in reducing emissions intensity and promoting renewable energy, challenges remain. India's fossil fuel demand remains high, and coal production and imports reached record highs in the first half of 2024 due to increased electricity demand during heatwaves. India's current policies and targets have been rated as "Insufficient" when compared to its fair share contribution to limiting warming to 1.5°C. To align with this target, India will need to adopt stronger targets and accelerate the implementation of climate policies, potentially with international support.
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Poorer, larger countries are more polluted
Air pollution is a pressing global issue, with 99% of the world's population breathing unsafe air. It is a particularly significant problem in emerging and developing countries, where environmental standards are often not met.
The countries with the highest carbon dioxide emissions are the most industrialised: China, the United States, and India. However, when it comes to per capita emissions, the ranking changes. The three countries with the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita are located on the Arabian Peninsula, due to their large share in the oil industry and smaller populations.
While the most polluting countries are often industrialised, this does not mean they are the most polluted. Some of the least polluted countries are responsible for detrimental air quality in other places. For example, Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 80 micrograms per cubic meter of air in 2023. This is largely due to persistent traffic, construction activities, and industrial fumes, particularly from coal-reliant brick kilns.
Poorer, larger countries are often more polluted than their richer counterparts. This is because they often lack the infrastructure to improve air quality, and their larger populations mean more vehicles on the road, many of which are older and emit more pollutants. However, if these countries can transition to more eco-friendly energy sources and invest in public transport, global pollution levels could decrease significantly.
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Frequently asked questions
Bangladesh is the world's most polluted country, 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 due to persistent traffic, construction activities, and industrial fumes, particularly from brick kilns, which rely heavily on coal.
Yes, the top five most polluted countries in the world, besides Bangladesh, are Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, and Iraq.
The three countries with the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are China, the United States, and India. However, when considering carbon footprint per capita, the ranking changes, with countries in the Arabian Peninsula topping the list.
