Reality check: India’s air 6th most polluted; UP’s Loni tops global list, Delhi 4th worldwide

India has been ranked the sixth most polluted country in the world in terms of PM2.5 levels, with Uttar Pradesh’s Loni emerging as the most polluted city globally and Delhi placed fourth, according to the World Air Quality Report 2025 by IQAir.

The report highlights a serious air quality challenge, but also points to areas where focused action can bring improvement.

INDIA’S POSITION: WHERE WE STAND

India ranks 6th globally in PM2.5 pollution
Only five countries—Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Chad and Congo—rank worse
Data analysed from 9,446 cities across 143 regions

CITIES IN FOCUS: LONI WORST, DELHI 4TH

Loni (UP): World’s most polluted city
Delhi: Ranked 4th globally
Other Indian cities in top 10: Byrnihat, Ghaziabad, Ula
Loni’s PM2.5 level: 112.5 µg/m³
Over 22 times higher than WHO safe limit
Around 23% higher than last year

A REGIONAL CHALLENGE

World’s 25 most polluted cities concentrated in India, Pakistan and China
Pollution driven by:
Dust and construction
Vehicle emissions
Waste burning
Industrial activity

GLOBAL SNAPSHOT: MIXED TRENDS

75 countries improved air quality this year
54 countries worsened, 2 unchanged
Only 14% of cities met WHO safe air standards
Wildfires and climate change worsened air in parts of Europe and North America

FIELD FOR IMPROVEMENT: WHAT CAN HELP

Better and wider air quality monitoring
Shift to cleaner fuels and transport
Control over dust and waste burning
More community awareness and local action

“Without monitoring, we cannot fully understand what’s in the air we breathe,” said IQAir CEO Frank Hammes, stressing that data and public participation are key to cleaner air.