The World Air Quality Report 2024 by AQI.IN presents a detailed picture of global air pollution trends. With air quality data collected from over 5,750 cities across 140 countries, this report highlights the regions with the highest AQI (Air Quality Index) levels. It provides insights into the impact of pollution on public health. This blog breaks down the key findings by continent, focusing on countries like India, China, Bangladesh, and others while incorporating cigarette-equivalent data to understand better the health risks associated with air pollution.
Unveiling the Most Air Polluted Continents: Key Findings from the World Air Quality Report 2024
1. Asia: The Most Polluted Continent
Asia remains the top continent for poor air quality globally. In 2024, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India had the highest AQI levels. Despite global efforts to curb pollution, Asia suffers from severe air quality issues, especially in South and East Asia. Out of 2,309 cities in Asia, only 2.3% met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Bangladesh: The Worst Air Quality
Bangladesh is unfortunate to hold the title of the most polluted country in the world. Its AQI of 140 falls into the Hazardous category. Dhaka’s capital has become one of the most polluted cities globally. In 2024, the AQI in Dhaka was 140, which is equivalent to smoking over 1,244 cigarettes annually based on a PM2.5 concentration of 75 µg/m³. The pollution in Bangladesh is mainly driven by industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and burning crop residues.
Bangladesh’s air quality continues to worsen due to rapid urbanization, limited public transportation, and insufficient environmental regulations. Addressing these issues requires urgent action, such as adopting green energy solutions, improving public transport systems, and enforcing stricter pollution controls.
Pakistan: A Significant Polluter
Pakistan also faces severe air quality issues, ranking second globally with an AQI of 115. Peshawar and Lahore have reported AQI levels in the Poor category, contributing to long-term health issues among residents. The pollution in Pakistan is primarily caused by vehicle emissions, burning crop residues, and industrial pollutants.
- Peshawar, with a PM2.5 of 74 µg/m³, is equivalent to smoking 1,228 cigarettes annually.
Despite efforts to curb pollution, including government initiatives to reduce industrial emissions, Pakistan’s air quality remains a significant concern, particularly during winter when smog becomes a severe problem.
India: A Major Contributor to Air Pollution
India’s air quality continues to be a significant concern. In 2024, the country ranked third globally for the highest AQI levels, with an annual average AQI of 111, placing it in the Poor category. Significant cities in northern India, such as New Delhi, Greater Noida, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, consistently report incredibly high pollution levels, particularly during winter, due to stubble burning and vehicular emissions.
- New Delhi, the capital city, topped the charts with an AQI of 169, placing it in the Unhealthy category. The city’s air quality in 2024 was equivalent to smoking 1,576 cigarettes annually, based on a PM2.5 concentration of 95 µg/m³. November to January recorded the most polluted months, with AQI levels reaching the Hazardous category.
- India’s struggles with air pollution are not limited to New Delhi. There are 94 of the top 100 most polluted cities globally in India.
Industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and agricultural burning are the major contributors to air pollution in India. Urgent actions are required to combat the rising pollution levels, including stricter regulations on crop burning, better public transportation systems, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
China: Facing a Struggle for Cleaner Air
China, ranked 13th globally for the highest AQI levels, has made significant progress over the years but continues to struggle with severe pollution, especially in the north and west. In 2024, China’s average AQI was 86, with many cities in Northern China experiencing Poor to Moderate air quality.
- Kashgar, a city in Xinjiang, reported the highest AQI in China in 2024, with an AQI of 126, placing it in the Poor category. The city’s pollution levels were equivalent to smoking 962 cigarettes annually, based on a PM2.5 concentration of 58 µg/m³. Dust storms, rapid industrialization, and vehicle emissions influence Kashgar’s air quality.
Despite China’s initiatives, like closing high-polluting factories and pushing for green energy, cities like Kashgar continue to experience high pollution levels. China’s high PM2.5 concentrations in urban areas remain a significant health risk.
2. Africa: A Rising Concern
Africa is the second-most polluted continent, with countries like Egypt, Rwanda, and Cameroon facing high AQI levels. In 2024, Africa’s average AQI was significantly higher than the global average, and only 0.0% of cities met the WHO PM2.5 guideline.
- Egypt recorded the highest AQI in Africa at 92, while cities like Abu Qir and Cair experienced pollution levels exceeding the recommended standards.
- Rwanda and Cameroon also face challenges in air quality, with significant cities struggling with vehicular emissions and industrial pollution. The lack of robust air quality monitoring and regulation in many African nations contributes to the worsening pollution crisis.
African nations must invest in clean energy, enforce stricter environmental laws, and improve urban planning to address pollution.
3. Europe: Moderate Air Quality
Europe ranks 3rd for the highest AQI globally, with countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Montenegro facing pollution challenges. Despite these struggles, Europe performed better than other continents, with 7.1% of cities meeting the WHO PM2.5 guideline in 2024. However, several countries continue to experience high AQI levels, primarily due to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and urban pollution.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded an AQI of 70, placing it in the Moderate category. Cities like Mrkonjić Grad reported 32 µg/m pollution levels equivalent to smoking over 531 cigarettes annually.
- Serbia also contributed to Europe’s high AQI levels, with cities such as Pozarevac and Valjevo in Serbia continuing to face hazardous air quality.
Europe still has many areas with cleaner air compared to other continents.
4. South America: Mixed Trends
South America, ranked 4th for the highest AQI globally, continues to deal with air quality issues, although at a slightly better level than Asia and Africa. In 2024, 2.5% of cities in South America met the WHO PM2.5 guideline.
- Peru, Colombia, and Chile are the countries with the highest AQI levels, with Coyhaique (Chile), Bucaramanga (Colombia) and Lima (Peru) cities experiencing above good air quality. The region’s significant pollutants include industrial emissions, vehicle fumes, and deforestation.
South American countries must focus on sustainable development, transitioning to cleaner transportation systems, and implementing better waste management practices to reduce pollution.
5. North America: A Mixed Picture
North America ranks 5th for the highest AQI levels globally, with Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador contributing to higher pollution in certain areas. In 2024, 14.3% of cities in North America met the WHO PM2.5 guideline.
- Mexico had an average AQI of 59, with cities like Cholula de Rivadabia PM2.5 34 µg/m³ experiencing pollution equivalent to smoking 564 cigarettes annually.
- The United States had good air quality, with an average AQI of 32, but cities like Port Isabel, Welby, Chula Vista, etc., had moderate AQIs above good air quality.
6. Oceania: The Least Polluted
Oceania had the cleanest air, with 54.5% of cities meeting WHO standards. All the countries and cities maintained good air quality below 50 µg/m³ due to low population density and strong environmental policies.
Conclusion
The 2024 World Air Quality Report by AQI.IN highlights the ongoing global struggle against air pollution, with countries in Asia, Africa, and South America continuing to suffer from hazardous air quality. Cities like New Delhi, Dhaka, Peshawar, Kashgar, etc. and many more are stark reminders of the urgent need for action. The cigarette equivalent data underscores the severe health risks of prolonged exposure to poor air quality. Governments must invest in clean energy solutions, tighter regulations, and improved urban planning to curb pollution and safeguard public health for future generations.
Also, Explore the Most Polluted Countries in the World 2024 Ranking
Also, Explore the Most Polluted Cities in the World 2024 Ranking
