A new global air quality study has ranked Pakistan as the most smog-affected country in the world in 2025, with levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) recorded at 13 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit.
According to the annual report released by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, only 13 countries and territories managed to keep average PM2.5 levels below the WHO guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre during the year.
The report stated that out of 143 countries and regions analysed, 130 failed to meet the WHO air quality standards, highlighting a worsening global pollution trend. After Pakistan, Bangladesh and Tajikistan ranked second and third among the most polluted countries.
It further noted that Chad, which topped the list in 2024, fell to fourth position in 2025, although analysts suggested the improvement may be linked to data gaps rather than a significant environmental recovery.
The report identified Lahore in Pakistan’s neighbouring India as the most polluted city globally in 2025. It added that 25 of the world’s most polluted cities were located in India, Pakistan and China.
Globally, only 14 per cent of cities met WHO air quality standards in 2025, down from 17 per cent the previous year. The report also highlighted the impact of wildfires in Canada, which contributed to increased PM2.5 levels across parts of the United States and Europe.
Countries including Australia, Iceland, Estonia and Panama were among the few that met WHO air quality standards during the year.