A new report from IQAir shows that air pollution is still a serious issue around the world. In 2025, most countries had air that was not safe to breathe based on standards from the World Health Organization.
Chad was ranked the most polluted country in Africa, with very high levels of harmful particles in the air. These tiny particles, called PM2.5, can enter the lungs and cause health problems. One reason for Chad’s pollution is the Bodélé Depression, a very windy area that spreads dust across the region.
Globally, only 13 countries managed to keep their air clean enough to meet health guidelines. Unfortunately, 130 out of 143 countries failed to reach safe levels. The most polluted countries overall were Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan.
When it comes to cities, Loni in India had the worst air in the world. In fact, the top 25 most polluted cities were all in India, Pakistan, and China.
There were a few positive signs. Some countries like Australia, Iceland, Estonia, and Panama had clean air. Others, including Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia, improved thanks to weather changes like stronger winds and more rain.
However, air quality tracking also faced problems. The United States stopped a global monitoring program, which made it harder to measure pollution accurately in some places.
Overall, while some areas are improving, air pollution remains a major global challenge that affects millions of people every day.
Source: TRT Africa
