Global Air Pollution Rankings 2024: Bangladesh Ranked as the Most Polluted; Check India’s Position

Pollution has become a pressing global issue, with air quality deteriorating in many parts of the world. In 2024, Bangladesh continued to remain the world’s most polluted country, followed by Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Burkina Faso. The rankings highlight the urgent need for global action to combat air pollution, which causes millions of premature deaths every year.

1. Bangladesh: The most polluted country in the world

Bangladesh is consistently ranked as the most polluted country. In 2024, the country’s population-weighted PM2.5 concentration peaked at 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), far exceeding the 5 μg/m3 guideline recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Rapid urbanization, heavy dependence on fossil fuels, and industrial emissions have severely exacerbated pollution levels in Bangladesh. The capital Dhaka often faces severe smog, especially during the dry season, leading to widespread health problems.

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2.Pakistan

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Pollution levels in Pakistan remain worrying, with PM2.5 concentrations at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter. The country’s largest cities, Lahore and Karachi, regularly experience hazardous air quality conditions. Pollution is mainly caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activities and the burning of solid fuels for cooking in rural areas. Efforts to improve air quality in Pakistan are made more difficult by a lack of regulatory enforcement and public awareness.

3. India

India has the third highest pollution level in the world. In 2023, the national average concentration of PM2.5 was 54.4 micrograms/cubic meter, more than ten times the World Health Organization’s safety limit. Northern India, especially the National Capital Region (NCR), has some of the worst air quality in the world. Cities such as New Delhi and the National Capital Region are regularly listed as among the most polluted cities in the world. Factors contributing to India’s pollution crisis include industrial emissions, vehicle traffic and seasonal agricultural burning. Despite India’s efforts to improve air quality, pollution levels still pose a serious threat to the health of its population, with more than 1.36 billion people at risk.

4. Tajikistan

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Tajikistan, which ranks fourth, has a PM2.5 concentration of 49.0 micrograms/cubic meter, about nine times higher than the World Health Organization guidance value. The country’s mountainous geography limits air circulation and traps pollutants, which is exacerbated by industrial emissions and widespread use of coal for heating. Additionally, urbanization in cities such as Dushanbe has resulted in poor air quality.

5.Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso rounded out the top five with PM2.5 levels of 46.6 micrograms per cubic meter. Factors contributing to the country’s pollution include desertification, sandstorms and the burning of biomass for cooking and heating. These environmental challenges, coupled with limited pollution control measures, result in high pollution levels that endanger public health.

Overall, pollution, especially air pollution, continues to pose significant health risks to a number of countries, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Burkina Faso being the most affected. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts at national and international levels and stricter enforcement of pollution control measures.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
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