HQ Team
March 11, 2025: A recent World Air Quality Report 2024 by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, has highlighted that 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are located in India, underscoring the country’s severe air quality issues. Byrnihat in Assam tops the list as the most polluted city globally, while Delhi retains its position as the most polluted capital city worldwide. This alarming situation not only reflects the environmental challenges India faces but also poses significant health risks to its residents.
The IQAir report ranked India as the world’s fifth most polluted country in 2024, down from third in 2023.
The report notes that India has seen a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, down from 54.4 micrograms in 2023. However, despite this slight improvement, six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities are still in India, including Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurugram. Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration remains high at 91.6 micrograms per cubic meter, only marginally lower than the previous year’s 92.7 micrograms.
Air pollution in India is linked to severe health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and respiratory problems. Exposure to PM2.5 particles, which are smaller than 2.5 microns, can bypass the body’s defenses, leading to inflammation and long-term health complications. In fact, air pollution is estimated to reduce life expectancy in India by approximately 5.2 years.
The report’s 50 most polluted cities list is made up majorly of cities from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The exceptions are one in China, one in Kazakhstan, and from Chad. Meanwhile, the cities with the worst pollution in North America were all in California.
Indian dominance
The dominance of Indian cities in global pollution rankings is attributed to rapid economic growth, heavy reliance on coal, and increasing urbanization, leading to high levels of particulate matter in the air. The situation is exacerbated by factors such as heavy traffic congestion and industrial emissions.
Experts emphasize the need for urgent action to improve air quality. Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan noted that while India has made progress in collecting air quality data, more needs to be done to mitigate pollution. Implementing effective policies to reduce emissions from vehicles and industries, along with promoting cleaner energy sources, could help alleviate the health risks associated with poor air quality.
India’s position in the global pollution rankings serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for environmental reforms. Addressing air pollution not only requires policy changes but also collective efforts from citizens and industries to adopt sustainable practices and reduce emissions.
