20 Countries with the Worst Air Quality in the World (2024)

Air quality refers to the degree to which the ambient air is pollution-free and safe to breathe. Air pollution occurs when harmful substances including particulate matter, chemicals or gases are present in the air at levels that pose risks to human health and the environment. Bad air quality means high levels of air pollution, which can cause serious health problems. An estimated 4.2 million deaths globally were attributed to air pollution in 2016, according to the World Health Organisation.

This ranking of the worst air quality countries has been performed considering the value of particulate matter (PM2.5) measured in micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3). PM2.5 refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two and one half microns or less in width. Due to their minute size, they can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system.

The World Health Organisation recommends that the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 should be below 10 μg/m3. However, in many parts of the world, PM2.5 levels are consistently many times higher than the recommended value.

The PM2.5 values referred to in this list pertain to measurements of outdoor air quality in these countries. This indicates the amount of air pollution to which the general population is exposed on a daily basis.

1. Chad

Chad had an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 122 μg/m3 in 2020, according to IQAir's World Air Quality Report. Chad had a carbon dioxide pollution of 0.1 tonnes per capita per year in 2016. An estimated 4,300 deaths in Chad in 2019 can be attributed to air pollution, according to a State of Global Air report. Life expectancy in Chad is 54 years, one of the lowest in the world, partially due to high levels of air pollution.

2. Iraq

Iraq had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 107 μg/m3 in 2020. Iraq's carbon dioxide pollution was 7.7 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 31,000 deaths in Iraq in 2019 were linked to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in Iraq is 70 years.

3. Pakistan

Pakistan had a PM2.5 level of 106 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 1.9 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 128,000 deaths in Pakistan in 2019 were attributable to air pollution. Life expectancy in Pakistan is 67 years.

4. Bahrain

Bahrain's annual PM2.5 concentration was 93 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 23.9 tonnes per capita in 2016, one of the highest rates globally. Around 1,100 deaths in Bahrain in 2019 were due to air pollution. Life expectancy in Bahrain is 78 years.

5. Bangladesh

Bangladesh had an annual PM2.5 level of 77 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 0.6 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 221,000 deaths in Bangladesh in 2019 were linked to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in Bangladesh is 73 years.

6. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso had a PM2.5 concentration of 69 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 0.1 tonnes per capita in 2016. Approximately 7,600 deaths in Burkina Faso in 2019 were attributable to air pollution. Life expectancy in Burkina Faso is 61 years.

7. Kuwait

Kuwait had an annual PM2.5 level of 63 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 25.5 tonnes per capita in 2016. Around 1,500 deaths in Kuwait in 2019 were due to air pollution. Life expectancy in Kuwait is 74 years.

8. India

India had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 58 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 2.0 tonnes per capita in 2016. Over 1 million deaths in India in 2019 were attributable to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in India is 69 years.

9. Egypt

Egypt had a PM2.5 level of 53 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 3.4 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 70,000 deaths in Egypt in 2019 were linked to air pollution. Life expectancy in Egypt is 72 years.

10. Tajikistan

Tajikistan had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 49 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 2.1 tonnes per capita in 2016. Around 5,000 deaths in Tajikistan in 2019 were due to air pollution. Life expectancy in Tajikistan is 71 years.

11. United Arab Emirates

The UAE had a PM2.5 level of 46 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 21.3 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 2,800 deaths in the UAE in 2019 were attributable to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in the UAE is 78 years.

12. Sudan

Sudan had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 46 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 0.7 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 21,000 deaths in Sudan in 2019 were linked to air pollution. Life expectancy in Sudan is 65 years.

13. Rwanda

Rwanda had a PM2.5 level of 44 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 0.1 tonnes per capita in 2016. Approximately 4,800 deaths in Rwanda in 2019 were due to air pollution. Life expectancy in Rwanda is 69 years.

14. Qatar

Qatar had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 43 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 41.2 tonnes per capita in 2016, the highest rate globally. Around 800 deaths in Qatar in 2019 were attributable to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in Qatar is 79 years.

15. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia had a PM2.5 level of 42 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 19.5 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 9,700 deaths in Saudi Arabia in 2019 were linked to air pollution. Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia is 75 years.

16. Nepal

Nepal had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 41 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 1.1 tonnes per capita in 2016. Around 25,000 deaths in Nepal in 2019 were due to air pollution. Life expectancy in Nepal is 70 years.

17. Uganda

Uganda had a PM2.5 level of 38 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 0.1 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 16,000 deaths in Uganda in 2019 were attributable to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in Uganda is 63 years.

18. Nigeria

Nigeria had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 36 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 0.6 tonnes per capita in 2016. Over 114,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2019 were linked to air pollution. Life expectancy in Nigeria is 54 years.

19. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina had a PM2.5 level of 36 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 5.7 tonnes per capita in 2016. Around 3,600 deaths in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019 were due to air pollution. Life expectancy is 77 years.

20. Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan had an annual PM2.5 concentration of 35 μg/m3 in 2020. Its carbon dioxide emissions were 5.6 tonnes per capita in 2016. An estimated 14,000 deaths in Uzbekistan in 2019 were attributable to air pollution exposure. Life expectancy in Uzbekistan is 71 years.

What are the countries with the best Air quality in the World?

The countries with the best air quality in the world are the following:

1. New Zealand (PM2.5 - 6.0 μg/m3)
2. Australia (PM2.5 - 6.5 μg/m3)
3. Finland (PM2.5 - 7.0 μg/m3)
4. Canada (PM2.5 - 8.0 μg/m3)
5. Sweden (PM2.5 - 8.0 μg/m3)
6. Iceland (PM2.5 - 8.5 μg/m3)
7. Estonia (PM2.5 - 9.0 μg/m3)
8. Norway (PM2.5 - 9.5 μg/m3)
9. United States (PM2.5 - 10.0 μg/m3)
10. Brunei (PM2.5 - 10.0 μg/m3)

As shown by the low PM2.5 levels, countries like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Sweden and Norway have the cleanest air in the world. We have written a more in-depth article comparing the best countries for air quality globally. Check it out if you want further details on which nations have the freshest, most pollution-free air.

What are the main air pollutants in countries with poor air quality?

The main air pollutants in countries with poor air quality are particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ground-level ozone (O3). High levels of these pollutants are consistently present in countries with the worst air quality.

Poor air quality is generally defined as exceeding the World Health Organization's guideline limits of 10 μg/m3 for annual PM2.5 exposure and 40 μg/m3 for annual NO2 exposure. Countries that far surpass these limits have very poor air quality.

What industrial sectors contribute most to pollution?

According to the WHO, the industrial sectors that contribute the most to air pollution globally are power generation, industry/manufacturing, transportation, residential energy use, agriculture, and waste management.

• Power generation accounts for about 85% of sulfur dioxide and 50% of nitrogen oxides emissions worldwide, according to the WHO. Coal-fired power plants alone contribute to over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC).
• Transportation including road vehicles, aviation, rail and shipping contribute up to 50% of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides in cities, especially in developing countries (WHO).
• Industry and manufacturing contribute about 22% of particulate matter emissions and up to 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from fossil fuel combustion and chemical production (WHO, IPCC).
• Agricultural practices including livestock, crops, deforestation and others account for about 24% of greenhouse gases globally (IPCC).
• Residential fuel combustion from heating, cooking etc. comprises 27% of PM2.5 emissions worldwide, especially in developing nations that use solid fuels (WHO).
• Waste management including open burning and landfills contribute to 5% of global methane emissions as well as other pollutants (IPCC).

So the data shows that power generation, transportation, industry, agriculture and residential energy use are the biggest contributors to harmful emissions that degrade air quality globally. Reducing pollution from these key sectors is critical.

How many people die every year due to pollution?

According to the WHO, air pollution causes approximately 7 million premature deaths worldwide every year. A State of Global Air report estimated that over 4.2 million annual deaths globally can be attributed to outdoor PM2.5 exposure from various pollution sources.

Air pollution is a major environmental health risk and countries with the poorest air quality see very high rates of mortality linked to diseases caused or exacerbated by air pollution, such as lung cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and heart disease. Reducing pollution levels is crucial for public health.