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A new report from IQAir reveals that most of the world’s population is exposed to unhealthy air, with only 17% of cities meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air pollution guidelines. The analysis, based on data from 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 countries, highlights that Chad, Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India have the worst air quality. India is home to six of the nine most polluted cities, with Byrnihat ranking as the most polluted.

Experts warn that the actual pollution levels could be even higher, as many regions, especially in Africa, lack adequate monitoring infrastructure. While efforts to expand air quality monitoring are underway, the decision by the U.S. State Department to halt public access to air pollution data from its embassies could hinder global transparency.

Long-term exposure to polluted air is linked to serious health risks, including respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, with air pollution estimated to cause 7 million deaths annually. Some cities, such as Beijing, Seoul, and Rybnik (Poland), have made progress in improving air quality through stricter pollution controls, cleaner energy initiatives, and investments in public transportation.

Environmental advocates stress that air pollution and the climate crisis are deeply connected, as burning fossil fuels contributes to both. Addressing planet-warming emissions can help combat both crises, making air quality improvement a critical global priority