Pakistan has been ranked the world’s most polluted country in 2025, according to a new global air quality report. The study found that dangerous pollution levels remain a major concern.
The report was released by Swiss air monitoring company IQAir. Researchers said Pakistan recorded extremely high levels of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5.
PM2.5 particles are very small and can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Health experts warn that long-term exposure can cause serious health problems.
According to the report, Pakistan’s PM2.5 levels were about 13 times higher than the recommended limit set by the World Health Organization. This placed Pakistan at the top of the list as the most polluted country in the world.
The study examined air quality data from 143 countries and territories. It found that 130 of them failed to meet the WHO guideline for safe air.
The WHO recommends an annual PM2.5 level of less than five micrograms per cubic meter. However, many countries recorded much higher concentrations.
Bangladesh ranked second on the list of the most polluted nations. Tajikistan was placed in third position.
Chad, which had been the world’s smoggiest country in 2024, ranked fourth in 2025. Experts said the drop may not reflect actual improvement. It could be linked to missing data.
Researchers noted that the United States Department of State ended a global pollution monitoring program in March last year. The program previously collected air quality data from US embassies and consulates.
The decision created data gaps for several countries. Because of missing information, Burundi, Turkmenistan, and Togo were excluded from the 2025 report.
The report also highlighted the world’s most polluted cities. Loni in India recorded the highest PM2.5 level in 2025. The city’s average concentration reached 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Hotan, located in China’s Xinjiang region, ranked second among polluted cities.
Researchers found that the top 25 most polluted cities were located in India, Pakistan, and China.
Globally, only 14 percent of cities met the WHO air quality standard in 2025. This number dropped from 17 percent the previous year.
Wildfires in Canada also affected air quality across North America. Smoke traveled across the United States and even reached parts of Europe.
Despite these concerns, some countries reported improvements. Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia recorded lower PM2.5 levels due to wetter and windier weather conditions.
Overall, 75 countries reported lower pollution levels in 2025. However, 54 countries experienced higher levels, highlighting the continuing challenge of air pollution worldwide.
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The report warns that being labeled the world’s most polluted country highlights the urgent need for stronger environmental policies and pollution control measures.
