Most polluted cities based on PM2.5 concentration globally 2024

Published by Ian Tiseo, Mar 11, 2025

The city of Byrnihat in Meghalaya, India was the most polluted city in the world in 2024, with average annual PM2.5 concentration of nearly 130 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³). This was more roughly 25 times above the WHO PM2.5 recommended guideline. More than half of the 25 most polluted cities in the world in 2024 were located in India, including New Delhi, which was the most polluted capital city in the world that year.

Average PM2.5 concentration in the most polluted cities worldwide in 2024 (in micrograms per cubic meter of air)

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Release date

March 2025

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2024

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