Overview

• 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.