Pakistan emerged as the world’s most polluted country in 2025, recording PM2.5 levels up to 13 times higher than the safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a new global air quality report released on Tuesday. The findings highlight worsening air pollution trends and growing public health concerns across multiple regions.
The report, published by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, noted that only 13 countries and territories managed to meet the WHO’s recommended annual average PM2.5 limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2025. This marks a slight improvement from seven countries in 2024, but the overall global picture remains alarming.
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and bloodstream, is linked to severe health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and premature deaths. The report underscores the urgent need for stronger environmental regulations and international cooperation to tackle air pollution.
Key findings from the IQAir 2025 Report
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A total of 130 out of 143 monitored countries and territories failed to meet WHO air quality guidelines.
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Bangladesh and Tajikistan ranked second and third most polluted countries, respectively, after Pakistan.
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Chad, the most polluted country in 2024, dropped to fourth place in 2025, though experts attribute this to incomplete data rather than real improvement.
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The United States shut down a key global air monitoring programme in March 2025 due to budget constraints, affecting data reliability in several regions.
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All the world’s 25 most polluted cities were located in India, Pakistan, and China.
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Only 14% of global cities met WHO standards in 2025, down from 17% in 2024.
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Canadian wildfires contributed to increased PM2.5 levels across parts of the United States and even Europe.
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Australia, Iceland, Estonia, and Panama were among the few nations that complied with WHO limits.
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Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Mongolia reported notable improvements, largely due to favourable La Niña weather conditions.
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While 75 countries saw reduced pollution levels in 2025, 54 recorded an increase, indicating uneven progress worldwide.