Helena Joyce
While many countries are far more polluted than others, the world's most polluted countries are not always the ones that are polluting the most. Some of the least polluted countries are responsible for the detrimental air quality impact they're having on other places. In 2023, global GHG emissions reached 53.0 GtCO2eq, with China, the United States, India, the EU27, Russia, and Brazil being the largest emitters. However, China's emissions per person are still far behind those of the US. In 2024, Delhi, India, was named the most polluted capital city in the world, with Beguserai and Guwahati being ranked as the two most polluted cities globally. Bangladesh is the world's most polluted country, with Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, and Iraq rounding out the top six.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most polluted capital city in the world in 2023 | Delhi, India |
| Most polluted cities in the world | Beguserai and Guwahati, India |
| Countries that met the World Health Organization's annual PM2.5 guideline | Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Finland |
| World's most polluted country | Bangladesh |
| Countries with the highest GHG emissions in 2023 | China, the United States, India, the EU27, Russia, and Brazil |
| Country that emits more greenhouse gas than the entire developed world combined | China |
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What You'll Learn
Delhi is the world's most polluted capital city
Delhi, India's capital, is the world's most polluted capital city. In 2023, a Swiss-based air-quality monitoring group, IQAir, found that Delhi was the most polluted capital city in the world. India was also ranked as the third most polluted country globally, after Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Delhi struggles with poor air quality year-round, but the air becomes particularly toxic during the winter months. This is due to a combination of factors, including the burning of crop remains by farmers in nearby states, industrial and vehicular emissions, low wind speeds, and the bursting of firecrackers during festivals. The toxic air has severe health implications for residents, causing respiratory diseases, lung capacity loss, and even cancer.
The Indian government has implemented temporary measures to address the air pollution, such as sprinkling water and restricting vehicle entry into cities. However, these measures are often seen as merely "bandaging the situation" rather than tackling the underlying causes of the problem. Avinash Chanchal, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace India, emphasizes the need for daily analysis of air pollution data to bring about inclusive and sustainable solutions.
Delhi's air pollution crisis is further exacerbated by rapid industrialization, weak enforcement of environmental laws, and poor industrial regulation. The increase in construction and lack of pollution-control measures in factories contribute to the rising levels of pollution. As a result, the annual average concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can be harmful to human health, has increased in Delhi, posing significant health risks to the city's population.
The situation in Delhi highlights the urgent need to move beyond fossil fuels and invest in clean energy generation and sustainable transport solutions. It also underscores the importance of effective air quality monitoring and data analysis to inform decisive action and improve the health and well-being of those living in polluted areas.
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India's rapid industrialisation and poor regulation
India has been one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters since 2023. Its rapid industrialization and poor regulation have contributed to this outcome.
Following independence in 1947, India adopted a strategy of rapid industrialization, focusing on raising resources and investing in large industrial state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The industries chosen were those producing basic and heavy industrial goods, such as steel, chemicals, machines, tools, locomotives, and power. This strategy was pursued because leaders believed that the industrial sector offered the greatest scope for growth in production.
However, this emphasis on industrialization came at the expense of the agrarian sector. Despite plans to reform agrarian institutions and redistribute land, these initiatives faced opposition and were largely unsuccessful. Agricultural production barely kept pace with population growth, and food security remained precarious.
The Indian government also implemented an industrial licensing system to control the activities of the private sector. This system was derisively nicknamed "the license Raj," as it was seen as oppressive and stifling to economic growth.
While India has made some progress towards industrialization, particularly in the export of high-value services, it continues to struggle with labor-intensive production. The share of manufacturing in India's GDP has remained relatively flat, even as the services sector has expanded significantly.
The history of de-industrialization in India under colonial rule has also played a role in shaping the country's economic landscape. During the 17th and 18th centuries, India's GDP per capita declined significantly due to the extraction and export of raw materials to Britain, and the import of manufactured goods from British companies. This dynamic shifted India's economy from being a world-leading exporter of processed goods to relying on raw material exports and buying manufactured goods from Britain. The loss of power of craftsmen organizations and the decline of skilled labor further contributed to the de-industrialization process.
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China emits more than all developed nations combined
China has been emitting more carbon dioxide than any other country since 2006. In 2019, China's greenhouse gas emissions exceeded the combined emissions of all developed nations. According to the Rhodium Group, China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases that year, with the US in second place at 11% and India in third with 6.6% of emissions. China's emissions have more than tripled over the previous three decades, and the country is heavily reliant on coal power, with more than half of the world's coal plants.
While China's per capita emissions are still lower than those of the US, they have increased, tripling over two decades. China's population is the largest in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. The country's emissions correspond to over 10.1 tonnes of CO2eq emitted per person each year, which is over the world average and the EU average. China has vowed to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030.
China has taken steps towards decarbonization, such as closing down inefficient power and industrial plants, increasing export taxes on energy-inefficient industries, and reducing import tariffs on certain non-renewable energy resources. The Chinese government has also launched programs to incentivize cities to undertake eco-city construction and improve energy efficiency. China is the world's leading investor in wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies, and its decarbonization efforts have continued despite ongoing coal use.
However, China's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) rating under the Paris Agreement is considered "highly insufficient" by the Climate Action Tracker. China's NDC is a commitment to reduce its national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. While the targets laid out in the NDC are likely to be met, they are not enough to combat global warming.
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The US is the second-largest emitter
The US's position as the second-largest emitter is significant, particularly given that China has the world's largest population. As a result, the US's per-person emissions are far higher than China's. Between 2022 and 2023, China's emissions per capita were two-thirds of those in the US. However, China's emissions per person have been increasing, tripling over two decades.
The US's high level of emissions is a critical issue in the context of global efforts to combat climate change. Scientists warn that without an agreement between the US and China to reduce emissions, it will be challenging to prevent dangerous climate change. The Paris Agreement, agreed in 2015, commits 197 nations to limiting global warming to below 2°C. However, China's current pledges under this agreement are considered insufficient to meet this target.
Despite diplomatic tensions, the US and China have engaged in discussions on tackling climate change. For example, President Biden organised a climate summit in 2021, which President Xi Jinping attended, reiterating his pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030.
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Bangladesh is the world's most polluted country
Bangladesh is one of the most polluted countries in the world, ranking second in 2024. Several factors contribute to this high level of pollution, including industrial emissions, agricultural burning, vehicle pollution, and dust. The country's limited scope of air quality monitoring, which tends to focus primarily on urban areas, also impacts its overall pollution levels.
Bangladesh's pollution problem is partly due to cultural attitudes towards waste disposal and a lack of accountability for factories and businesses that engage in improper waste management practices. The country's high population density, particularly in cities like Dhaka, exacerbates the issue, making it challenging to provide and maintain sufficient waste management infrastructure.
Additionally, Bangladesh's economic status contributes to the pollution issue. While the country is less poor than some others, it may not have the resources to invest in more expensive, durable, or biodegradable materials. As a result, single-use plastics are prevalent, contributing to the pollution problem.
The use of single-use plastics, coupled with a lack of awareness or concern for proper waste disposal among the general population, leads to widespread littering and environmental degradation. This issue is further compounded by a lack of enforcement and accountability for businesses and factories that engage in improper waste disposal, often due to bribery or corruption.
Bangladesh's pollution problem is not an isolated issue, as air pollution transcends country borders. Regional cooperation is crucial in addressing this challenge, as neighbouring countries like India and Pakistan share common sources of pollution. However, despite the evidence of trans-boundary pollution, collaboration among these countries has been underwhelming.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, the top 5 most polluted countries in the world are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso.
China has been the largest polluter in the world since 2006. However, some argue that a fair comparison would be to analyse the amount of CO2 per capita, in which case the United States would be the largest polluter.
Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and Finland are among the least polluted countries in the world.
In 2024, Beguserai in northern India was ranked as the most polluted city in the world.
Experts say that rapid industrialisation, poor industrial regulation, and rapid construction have contributed to the high levels of pollution in India.
