Global Report Reveals Over 80% of Cities Exceed Air Pollution Limits

India, Chad, and Bangladesh lead the world's most polluted regions, while only seven countries meet WHO air quality standards.

The 2024 World Air Quality Report found that only 17% of global cities met the WHO's PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, with most cities exceeding safe air pollution limits.
India has six of the world's ten most polluted cities, with New Delhi remaining the most polluted capital globally, and Byrnihat recording PM2.5 levels over 25 times the WHO guideline.
Chad ranked as the world's most polluted country, with PM2.5 levels 18 times higher than WHO recommendations, driven largely by Sahara Desert dust.
In contrast, Australia, New Zealand, and five other countries achieved safe air quality levels, with Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, identified as the least polluted metropolitan area globally.
Air pollution remains a significant global health threat, contributing to millions of deaths annually, while monitoring gaps in regions like Africa hinder effective policy and intervention efforts.