The Most Polluted Countries In The World Ranked

Diseases caused by air pollutants are the world’s 5th leading cause of death, claiming more than four million lives in 2015. You can workout regularly and eat plenty of veggies, but it’s difficult to avoid the damage caused by air pollution if you happen to reside in one of the most carbon-dense locations on the planet.

The World Health Organization (WHO) records the air quality at 1,622 urban areas in 92 countries, and the data they have collected indicates which countries are the most polluted.

Their main focus was particulate matter—the visible and invisible particles, like smoke and soot, that cause health complications when inhaled. These countries had the worst recorded levels of particulate matter density:

Pakistan
Qatar
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Egypt
UAE
Mongolia
India
Bahrain
Nepal
Ghana
Jordan
China
Senegal
Turkey
Bulgaria
Mauritius
Peru
Serbia
Iran

While China is always making headlines for its abysmal air quality of its cities, it isn’t in the top 10 of worst offending countries.

At the other end of the scale, those leading the way in terms of clean, fresh air are: Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Estonia and Finland.

To protect yourself from unclean air—whether you’re living in or visiting a polluted place—avoid exercising outdoors during hours when traffic congestion peaks, keep windows shut, invest in a high-efficiency air purifier and some pot plants to reduce particulate matter in the home.

About the author

Esme Benjamin

Wellness Editor

Born and raised in Bristol, England, Esme has been geeking out over syntax her entire life. She studied English Lit by the Brighton seaside before moving to London to pursue her writing career in 2009, going on to work for Grazia Daily, The Telegraph and SheerLuxe. In 2013 she swapped The Big Smoke for The Big Apple, where she trained as a yoga teacher and contributed to Refinery29, Self, Fitness Magazine and Greatist. When she's not glued to her laptop or iPhone you'll find her drinking Kale Margaritas at an East Village happy hour, planning her next adventure, or hand-standing (with more vigor than skill) at the yoga studio.