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Toxic Air Plagues Asia and Africa: New Data Exposes Worst Polluted Cities
4 Oct
Summary
- Byrnihat, India is the world's most polluted city, with pollution 25 times above safe levels
- Asia is home to 9 of the 10 most polluted cities globally
- Faro, Portugal is the least polluted city in Europe
As of October 4th, 2025, a new report has exposed the cities facing the world's highest levels of air pollution. The data paints a grim picture, with Asia and Africa bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Byrnihat, India currently holds the title of the world's most polluted city, with an average concentration of 128.2 micrograms of toxic PM2.5 particles per cubic meter - 25 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit. This is followed by Delhi, India and Karaganda, Kazakhstan.
Alarmingly, Asia is home to 9 of the 10 most polluted cities globally. The region's intense pollution is attributed to industrial emissions, biomass burning, coal-fired power, and transportation. In contrast, Europe has some of the world's cleanest air, with Faro, Portugal leading the continent with an average particulate level of just 3 micrograms per cubic meter.
While the situation remains dire in parts of Asia and Africa, there are pockets of hope. The Kazakh town of Chu and the Hawaiian towns of Waimea and Miliani are among the world's least polluted areas, providing a glimpse of what clean air can look like.
