Pakistan Ranked Most Polluted Country in 2025; Report

Pakistan has been ranked the most polluted country in the world in 2025, with extremely high levels of air pollution, according to a new report by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

The report revealed that concentrations of harmful particles known as PM2.5 in Pakistan were up to 13 times higher than the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). These particles are considered dangerous as they can enter the lungs and bloodstream, causing serious health problems.

Out of 143 countries and territories monitored, 130 failed to meet the WHO’s air quality guidelines, showing that air pollution remains a major global concern. Only 13 countries managed to maintain PM2.5 levels within the recommended limit of less than 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

After Pakistan, Bangladesh and Tajikistan ranked as the second and third most polluted countries. Chad, which was previously the most polluted country in 2024, dropped to fourth place, although experts say this change may be due to gaps in available data.

The report also noted that the shutdown of a US global air monitoring program created data shortages, affecting pollution tracking in several countries. As a result, some nations were excluded from the rankings due to lack of reliable information.

In terms of cities, Loni in India was recorded as the most polluted city in the world, followed by Hotan in China. The top 25 most polluted cities were all located in India, Pakistan, and China, highlighting severe regional air quality issues.

Globally, only 14% of cities met WHO air quality standards in 2025, a decrease from 17% in the previous year. Factors such as wildfires in Canada also contributed to rising pollution levels in parts of the United States and Europe.

However, some countries showed improvement. Nations like Australia, Iceland, Estonia, and Panama successfully maintained clean air standards, while others, including Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia, recorded reductions in pollution levels due to favorable weather conditions.

Overall, 75 countries saw a decrease in PM2.5 levels compared to the previous year, while 54 experienced an increase, indicating mixed global progress in tackling air pollution.