Pakistan has been ranked as the world’s most polluted country in 2025, according to an annual global survey conducted by Swiss company IQAir.
The report highlights that only 13 countries worldwide meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) international air quality standards.
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Globally, air pollution levels are worsening, posing serious health risks.
In 2025, Pakistan recorded the worst air quality in the world, with PM2.5 levels, tiny particles that can harm the lungs, measuring 13 times higher than the WHO’s safe limit.
The WHO recommends that PM2.5 levels in the air should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Bangladesh and Tajikistan were ranked second and third, respectively, among the world’s most polluted countries.
READ: Karachi air quality shows significant improvement on March 23
On the other hand, countries such as Australia, Iceland, and Estonia have successfully limited air pollution from vehicles, trucks, and industrial activity, earning them the title of world’s cleanest nations in terms of air quality.
The IQAir report analyzed data from 9,500 cities worldwide and found that only 14% of cities meet the WHO’s PM2.5 standards.
Additionally, the report revealed that 25 of the world’s most polluted cities are located in India, Pakistan, and China.
India’s Loni was named the world’s most polluted city, while South Africa’s Nieuwoudtville emerged as the cleanest city globally.
The report also noted that wildfires in forests across Europe and Canada contributed further to the rise in global air pollution levels.
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Frank Hammes, Chief Executive Officer of IQAir, emphasized the long-term impact of air pollution:
“The future of the next generation depends on air quality. We know that poor air quality reduces physical performance and increases the spread of various diseases, putting a heavy burden on healthcare systems.”
