Bangladesh’s air remains the second-worst globally in 2025
The report finds that the persistent pollution is fueled by a combination of industrial and vehicular emissions, brick kilns, construction dust, and seasonal crop burning
Bangladesh's air quality once again ranked as the second-worst globally last year, with concentrations of hazardous fine particles (PM2.5) reaching 13.2 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit, according to a recent report.
The country's annual average concentration of PM2.5 reached 66.1 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³). The findings were published in the latest World Air Quality Report released on Tuesday (24 March) by Swiss technology company IQAir.
PM2.5 refers to microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The particles are roughly 30 times thinner than a human hair and are associated with serious health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Although Bangladesh's air quality improved compared with 2024 – when the annual PM2.5 concentration stood at 78.0 µg/m³ – the country still ranked as the second most polluted globally, behind Pakistan.
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The report finds that the persistent pollution is fueled by a combination of industrial and vehicular emissions, brick kilns, construction dust, and seasonal crop burning
Dhaka also ranked as the second most polluted capital city in the world after New Delhi, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 68.0 µg/m³.
The report states, "Major capital cities such as Dushanbe, Dhaka and Delhi faced particularly extreme conditions in 2025, with each city recording at least two months where concentrations surged above 100 µg/m³. Given the high population density in these urban centres, these sustained pollution levels represent a constant and significant threat to public health."
Bangladesh's long-standing pollution problem
Bangladesh has consistently ranked among the most polluted countries since IQAir began publishing its global air quality reports.
The country held the top position for four consecutive years between 2018 and 2021 before dropping to fifth place in 2022. It returned to the top spot in 2023 before falling to second place in 2024.
Dr MH Choudhury Lelin, public health expert and preventive medicine specialist, told The Business Standard, "Unfit vehicles, uncontrolled smoke emissions, a growing population and its housing demand—which drives brick kiln production – and unsupervised waste disposal are damaging our air quality."
He added that cities such as Beijing have successfully reduced extreme air pollution within a few years through decisive action, while Bangladeshi policymakers continue to fall short of their promises.
"Once pollution sets in, there is very little we can do at a personal level to protect ourselves. Wearing masks can reduce harm but not eliminate it," he warned.
He also suggested that the government should broadcast air quality forecasts in the same way as weather reports, allowing people to prepare for hazardous conditions. Schools should also be closed during periods of extreme pollution, as is done in many cities around the world, he said.
Air quality in South Asia
In South Asia, Pakistan ranked as the most polluted country, with a PM2.5 level of 67.3 µg/m³.
India ranked sixth globally with an average PM2.5 concentration of 48.9 µg/m³, while Nepal placed 12th.
The Maldives recorded the best air quality in the region, ranking 109th globally with a PM2.5 level of 8.8 µg/m³, followed by Sri Lanka at 42nd.
Global air quality worsening
Globally, only 14% of cities met the WHO's annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³ in 2025, down from 17% the previous year, indicating a slowdown in progress to combat air pollution.
The report analysed data from 9,446 cities across 143 countries and territories, finding that 91% failed to meet WHO standards. Only 13 countries and territories complied with the guideline.
Countries including Barbados, Iceland, Andorra, Australia, Grenada, Panama and Estonia were among those that met the WHO guideline.
The report also noted that climate-driven wildfires contributed significantly to worsening global air quality in 2025.
"Air quality is a fragile asset that requires active stewardship to protect public health," says IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes.
"The 2025 World Air Quality Report makes clear that without monitoring, we cannot fully understand what's in the air we breathe. Expanding access to real-time data empowers communities to act. By reducing emissions and addressing climate change, we can drive meaningful, lasting improvements in global air quality." he added.
