Kiera Jefferson
The Middle East is facing a surge in pollution levels, with the region's air quality being among the lowest in the world. In 2022, pollution levels rose by 13% compared to 2021, making the area 3.7 times more polluted than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels. While Qatar is the most polluted country in the Middle East, Iraq has the most polluted city, Baghdad, and 39 of the 50 most polluted regions in the Middle East. The primary sources of pollution in Iraq are vehicle exhaust, electric generators, fires at oil and gas refineries, and continuous military conflict. The Middle East's urban communities are facing some of the most challenging effects of climate change, and the region's rapid urbanization is a key driver of its high pollution levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State with the most pollution in the Middle East | Qatar |
| Date of Information | 2025 |
| Particulate pollution | Industrial emissions and construction |
| Particulate pollution in Iraq caused by | Vehicle exhaust, electric generators, fires at oil and gas refineries, and continuous military conflict in the region |
| Particulate pollution in the Gulf caused by | Fossil fuel burning, burning of heavy oil in power plants, refineries and factories, and soil dust |
| Annual PM2.5 concentration in Iraq | 80.1 µg/m3 |
| Annual PM2.5 concentration in Bahrain | 66.6 µg/m3 |
| Annual PM2.5 concentration in Kuwait | 55.8 µg/m3 |
| Annual PM2.5 concentration in Egypt | 46.5 µg/m3 |
| Annual PM2.5 concentration in the UAE | 45.9 µg/m3 |
| World Health Organization's recommended annual concentration of PM2.5 | 5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) |
| Number of people who die prematurely from air pollution every year | 4.2 million |
| Percentage of people globally who breathe polluted air | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
Qatar is the most polluted Middle Eastern country
Qatar has been identified as the most polluted country in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the fourth most polluted country globally. This is largely due to industrial emissions and construction projects that support rapid urbanization. The country's pollution levels are so severe that they are taking an estimated 3.3 years off the life expectancy of the average resident compared to if the country met the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline.
The State of Global Air 2020 Report by the Health Effects Institute, an independent scientific institution based in Washington, DC, revealed that Qatar had over 76 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air. This is significantly higher than the WHO recommendation of less than 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Doha News reported that Qatar and Singapore signed the first long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal, which includes details on pollution levels, indicating that the country is taking steps to address the issue.
Despite Qatar's environment ministry dismissing concerns about air pollution levels in 2016, the country has recently made efforts to curb carbon emissions as part of its National Vision 2030. For example, Qatar's Supreme Committee has teamed up with the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) to ensure proper mechanisms are in place to monitor air quality. Additionally, entities in Qatar have implemented environmentally friendly initiatives, such as installing designated bins and launching carbon offset schemes.
While Qatar is the most polluted Middle Eastern country, it is important to note that 39 out of the 50 most polluted regions in the Middle East and North Africa are in Iraq. Baghdad, Iraq's capital, has the highest levels of pollution in the region, with residents standing to lose 3.5 years of life expectancy due to vehicle exhaust, electric generators, fires at oil and gas refineries, and continuous military conflict. Overall, the Middle East and North Africa are emerging as new pollution hotspots, with pollution levels in 2022 increasing by 13% compared to 2021, making the region 3.7 times more polluted than the WHO recommendations.
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Iraq has the highest concentration of PM2.5
Several Middle Eastern countries have high levels of pollution, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt being among the most polluted. However, Iraq has the highest concentration of PM2.5, a harmful type of particulate matter.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. These fine particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing adverse health effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), annual concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed an average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
Iraq's annual reading for PM2.5 in 2022 was 80.1 µg/m³, far above the recommended limit. Baghdad, Iraq's capital, is the most polluted city in the region. The high pollution levels in Iraq can be attributed to various factors, including vehicle exhaust, electric generators, fires at oil and gas refineries, and military conflict. The country was hit by 10 sandstorms in just two months last year, which exacerbated the pollution levels and led to 5,000 people requiring hospital treatment.
The health impacts of Iraq's high pollution levels are significant. Residents of Baghdad are estimated to lose 3.5 years of life expectancy on average due to pollution. The high concentration of PM2.5 in Iraq contributes to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and can affect decision-making and fetal development. Iraq's pollution levels are a pressing issue that requires attention and mitigation strategies to protect the health and well-being of its citizens.
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Natural sources of pollution include windblown dust
Several Middle Eastern countries are among the most polluted in the world. Iraq, for instance, had the highest concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) adjusted for population weighting, while Qatar was the fourth most polluted country globally. Baghdad, Iraq's most populous city, is also the most polluted in the region.
Dust can have significant impacts on human health, transportation, renewable energy systems, and the global economy. It has been linked to respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and can also affect cardiovascular health. Dust storms can result in high levels of PM10 and PM2.5, with both types of particles having harmful health effects.
In the Middle East, dust storms are a "major source" of natural pollution. Iraq, for example, experienced ten sandstorms in just two months, resulting in a 75% increase in pollution levels and requiring 5,000 people to seek hospital treatment. The situation is expected to worsen as water shortages increase dust levels.
Dust also impacts renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, by reducing their efficiency and causing overheating and damage. Additionally, dust increases aircraft maintenance costs, as it can melt onto engine components, leading to potential safety risks if left unchecked.
Overall, windblown dust is a significant natural source of pollution, contributing to adverse health effects and causing disruptions in various sectors, including transportation and renewable energy. In the Middle East, dust storms play a crucial role in the region's air quality challenges.
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Anthropogenic activities are the most dominant sources of air pollutants
Several Middle Eastern countries have poor air quality, with four of them being among the ten most air-polluted countries in the world. Iraq, in particular the city of Baghdad, has the highest concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) adjusted for population weighting. Other countries with high levels of PM2.5 include Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, and the UAE.
While natural sources such as windblown dust and desert dust storms contribute to air pollution in the Middle East, intensive anthropogenic activities are the most dominant sources of air pollutants. These activities, including urban development, industrial activities, transportation, waste burning, and mega construction projects, have led to high concentrations of microscopic particles from combustion sources. These fine particulate aerosols, which are largely attributed to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and power plants, pose significant health risks to residents in the region.
In Egypt, for example, air pollution sources attributed to human activities include traffic, industrial emissions, and burning in the open air. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also face emissions from traffic, industrial oil combustion, and power plants. In Lebanon and Turkey, waste burning and traffic are major contributors, while in Qatar, air pollution is driven by traffic and mega construction projects. The UAE's air pollution is primarily due to industrial activities, traffic, and marine activities in ports.
The health impacts of fine particulate matter are significant, with exposure leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4.2 million people die prematurely from air pollution annually, and residents in the Middle East could gain 1.3 years in life expectancy if pollution levels were reduced to meet WHO guidelines. In Baghdad, the average loss of life expectancy due to pollution is estimated at 3.5 years, while in Kuwait, PM2.5 pollution contributes to 15.9% of excess deaths.
Overall, anthropogenic activities are the primary drivers of air pollution in the Middle East, and their impact on human health and life expectancy is substantial. Addressing these sources of pollution through policy interventions and international cooperation is crucial to improving air quality and the well-being of residents in the region.
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Reducing pollution would increase life expectancy
According to the 2022 World Air Quality Report, Middle Eastern nations made up four of the ten most air-polluted countries. Iraq had the highest concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) adjusted for population weighting, followed by Pakistan, with Chad in first place. Baghdad, Iraq's capital, is the most polluted city in the region, with residents standing to lose 3.5 years of life expectancy on average from pollution. This is attributed to vehicle exhaust, electric generators, fires at oil and gas refineries, and continuous military conflict in the region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set guidelines for annual concentrations of PM2.5, which should not exceed an average of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). However, Iraq's annual reading for last year was 80.1 µg/m³, far exceeding the recommended limit. As a result, residents of the Middle East and North Africa region stand to gain 1.3 years in life expectancy if pollution levels are reduced to meet the WHO guideline.
The impact of air pollution on life expectancy is evident worldwide. Current levels of air pollution have reduced life expectancy by one year and eight months on average. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been identified as a significant contributor, reducing life expectancy by one year in 2019. Household air pollution and ambient ozone also play a role, shortening lives by 0.7 years and 0.07 years, respectively. The countries with the greatest life expectancy losses linked to air pollution are Papua New Guinea, Niger, and Somalia.
Reducing particulate pollution is crucial for increasing life expectancy. If pollution levels are not lowered to meet WHO guidelines, the average person is expected to lose 2.2 years of their life, with those in more polluted regions facing even greater losses of five years or more. Strong clean air policies are essential to address this global issue, as the impact of air pollution on human health is comparable to other significant causes of death and disease, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria.
In conclusion, reducing pollution is directly linked to increasing life expectancy. By addressing the sources of pollution, such as vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and military conflicts, we can improve air quality and positively impact the health and longevity of those living in heavily polluted regions, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
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Frequently asked questions
Iraq is the most polluted country in the Middle East, with an annual PM2.5 reading of 80.1 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3) in 2022. Baghdad, Iraq's capital, is the most polluted city in the region.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are among the top 15 most polluted countries globally.
Intensive anthropogenic activities related to urban development, industrial activities, and transportation are the dominant sources of air pollutants in the Middle East.
The Middle East has some of the highest air pollution levels globally, with an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths from air pollution annually. Residents of the region stand to gain an average of 1.3 years in life expectancy if pollution levels are reduced to meet WHO guidelines.
