A new global report on air pollution has revealed that Pakistan remained the most smog-affected country in the world in 2025, highlighting the severity of worsening environmental conditions in the country.
According to the annual report by Switzerland-based air quality monitoring company IQAir, only 13 countries worldwide maintained an average PM2.5 level below the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter last year, indicating how rare clean air conditions have become.
The report stated that in Pakistan, the concentration of hazardous fine particulate matter, PM2.5, was recorded at levels up to 13 times higher than the WHO’s safe limit, posing serious risks to human health and increasing the likelihood of respiratory and other diseases.
It further noted that out of 143 countries and regions, 130 failed to meet the global air quality standards, while Bangladesh ranked second and Tajikistan third among the most polluted countries, reflecting a broader regional challenge.
The report also highlighted that 25 of the world’s most polluted cities are located in India, Pakistan, and China, indicating a high concentration of urban pollution in these countries.
On the other hand, Australia, Iceland, Estonia, and Panama were ranked among the cleanest countries, while Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia saw noticeable improvements in air quality due to seasonal factors such as increased rainfall and stronger winds.
