Pakistan has been identified as the most polluted country globally in 2025, surpassing the World Health Organisation’s recommended levels for hazardous PM2.5 particles by up to 13 times, as per a report by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. The report highlighted that only 13 nations and territories managed to maintain PM2.5 levels below the WHO standard of 5 microgrammes per cubic meter in 2025, an increase from seven in the previous year, as reported by Dawn.
The study indicated that out of 143 countries and territories monitored, 130 failed to meet the WHO guidelines. Bangladesh and Tajikistan secured the second and third positions on the list of the most polluted nations globally, with Chad dropping to the fourth spot from being the most polluted country in 2024.
In 2025, only 14% of cities worldwide met the WHO standard for PM2.5 levels. Countries such as Australia, Iceland, Estonia, and Panama were among those meeting the standard, while Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia experienced a reduction in PM2.5 levels compared to the previous year due to the La Nina weather conditions, as per Dawn. The report by IQAir revealed that 75 countries observed lower PM2.5 levels in 2025 than in 2024, with 54 countries reporting higher average concentrations.
Pakistan’s struggle with smog dates back to 2024 when it was among the most polluted nations globally, exceeding the WHO’s safe limit for PM2.5 concentrations. The situation poses not only health risks but also hampers the country’s efforts to enhance air quality, particularly in cities like Lahore and Karachi, where a combination of fog and industrial emissions worsens air pollution even during winter.
