IQAir has released its 7th annual World Air Quality Report, exposing alarming pollution levels in 2024. The report analyzes data from over 40,000 monitoring stations across 8,954 locations in 138 countries, territories, and regions to track global air quality trends.
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE 2024 REPORT
- Only 17% of global cities met the WHO air pollution guideline for PM2.5 levels.
- Seven countries met the WHO PM2.5 annual guidelineof 5 µg/m³: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand.
- 91.3% of countries and regions exceeded WHO’s recommended air pollution limits.
WORLD’S MOST POLLUTED COUNTRIES IN 2024
- Chad – 91.8 µg/m³ (18 times above WHO limits)
- Bangladesh – 78.0 µg/m³ (15 times higher)
- Pakistan – 73.7 µg/m³ (14 times higher)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – 58.2 µg/m³ (11 times higher)
- India – 50.6 µg/m³ (10 times higher)
MOST POLLUTED CITIES AND REGIONS
- Byrnihat, India recorded the highest PM2.5 level with 128.2 µg/m³.
- Central & South Asia had the seven most polluted cities in the world.
- Los Angeles, California ranked as the most polluted major U.S. city.
- Ontario, California recorded the highest air pollution levels in the U.S.
- Seattle, Washington was the cleanest major city in the U.S.
- Mayaguez, Puerto Rico had the lowest pollution globally, with 1.1 µg/m³.
REGIONAL AIR QUALITY TRENDS
- Southeast Asia saw PM2.5 reductions, though El Niño and transboundary haze remain challenges.
- Africa faces a severe data shortage, with only one monitoring station per 3.7 million people.
- Latin America suffered massive air pollution spikes due to Amazon wildfires, with PM2.5 levels quadrupling in Brazil’s Rondônia and Acrestates.
- Oceania remains the world’s cleanest region, with 57% of cities meeting WHO air quality standards.
AIR QUALITY DATA GAPS AND CITIZEN SCIENCE INITIATIVES
Despite progress, government-run air quality monitoring remains inadequate in many regions. Low-cost citizen-led monitor shave helped bridge data gaps, empowering communities with real-time air pollution insights.
“Air pollution is a global health crisis, yet many remain unaware of their exposure,” said Frank Hammes, Global CEO of IQAir. “Access to real-time air quality data can save lives by influencing policies and guiding public health measures.”
SCHOOLS4EARTH: EXPANDING AIR QUALITY MONITORING
IQAir’s Schools4 Earth initiative aims to install air quality monitors in over 1 million schools worldwide. Currently, only 21% of the global population has access to hyper-local air quality data. Expanding this network could increase coverage to 94% of the world’s population.
“Schools are central to communities, making them ideal for air monitoring,” Hammes explained. “By equipping schools, we can drive a worldwide movement for cleaner air.”
URGENT CALL FOR ACTION
The World Air Quality Report serves as a stark warning for urgent action. Aidan Farrow, Senior Air Quality Scientist at Greenpeace International, emphasized the need for immediate intervention:
“Air pollution poses a serious risk to future generations. This report highlights how human activities—coal burning, deforestation, and industrial emissions—directly impact global air quality and climate change. The time to act is now.”
IQAir’s findings expose a worsening air pollution crisis and the need for stronger policies, expanded monitoring networks, and greater public awareness. With data-driven solutions and collective action, a cleaner, healthier future is within reach.