Top 10 Most Polluted Countries by PM 2.5 Concentration (2023)

Source: IQAir

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Definition: This chart displays the top ten most polluted countries in the year 2023 that exceeded the WHO annual average PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m³. The data utilized for this visualization is sourced from the World Air Quality Report 2023, published by the Swiss organization IQAir.

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can be harmful to human health when inhaled, as it can penetrate deep into the respiratory system.

Key Insights

• Among the 134 countries and regions assessed, 124 surpassed the WHO’s annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m³.
• The region of Central & South Asia was home to the top ten most polluted cities in the world.
• Begusarai, India, took the undesirable title of the most polluted metropolitan area in 2023. India was home to the four most polluted cities in the world.
• The most polluted major U.S. city was Columbus, Ohio. Beloit, Wisconsin was the most polluted city in the U.S.
• Las Vegas, Nevada was the cleanest major city in the U.S.
• Canada made history by becoming the most polluted country in Northern America for the first time.