NEWS – According to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025, almost all Indians breathe air dirtier than WHO safe limits

HIGHLIGHTS

• The annual average particulate pollution (PM2.5) across India exceeds the WHO recommended limit of 5 µg/m³.
• Northern plains, including Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur, are the worst affected, exposing 544 million people to unhealthy air.

Impact on Health

• Life expectancy could improve significantly if pollution is reduced:
  • Delhi residents could gain 8.2 years.
  • Even in cleaner regions, Indians could live 9.4 months longer.
• India’s own standards (PM2.5 annual limit of 40 µg/m³) are more lenient, yet 46% of the population live in areas exceeding this limit.

Regional Context

• Pollution in India affects neighboring South Asian countries: emissions from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan contribute to poor air quality across borders.
• Bangladesh remains the most polluted country in the region; reducing PM2.5 could add 5.5 years to the average lifespan of its citizens.

Global Scenario

• Worldwide, PM2.5 pollution increased by 1.5% in 2023 and remains almost 5 times higher than WHO limits.
• China shows an improvement over the past decade due to:
  • Limiting cars in major cities
  • Cutting steel and coal production
  • Replacing coal-based heating with gas/electric systems
• Despite improvements, China’s air still exceeds WHO safe limits.