Top 10 Most Polluted Countries In the World (2023)

Environmental pollution has become a global complication, as every part of the globe is battling one form of contamination to another.  According to Wikipedia, pollution killed nine million people worldwide (one in six deaths) in 2008. This remained unchanged in 2019, with little tangible progress against this global crisis, being identifiable. Air pollution accounted for 3⁄4 of these earlier deaths.

Without any intention of discrimination, we compiled a list of the top 10 most polluted countries in the world using the use IQAir’s detailed air quality data, which measures the annual average concentration of PM 2.5 in each country in micrograms divided by cubic meters (µg/m³).

It’s important to note that the world’s most polluted countries are not always the most polluting ones. Some of the least polluted countries in the world are responsible for the detrimental air quality impact they’re having on other places. With that being said, here are the top 10 most polluted countries in the world (2023)

10. Nepal

With a reading of 46 μg/m³, Nepal takes tenth place among the most polluted countries in the world in 2023. The South Asian Country is located between India and China, two economic giants and two of the world’s top contributors to air pollution.

Aside from being situated between China and India, they are numerous causes of pollution across the country, many of which stem from a lack of regulations regarding operations such as factories and construction sites, open burning as well as the fuels used in the many vehicles found in Kathmandu and other cities.

Another element that has contributed to the levels of pollution was the catastrophic 7.8magnitude earthquake that occurred in 2015, leveling many historic areas and domiciles across the capital city, leading to a massive spike in dust pollution, much of which remains till this day due to the lack of proper cleanup conducted by the country.

9. Iraq

Iraq joins the list of the 10 most polluted countries in the world, with a reading of 49.7 µg/m³, according to IQAir.com. According to an online study, the poor air quality in Iraq results from vehicle emissions, war-induced pollution, usage of generators for power due to poor electrical infrastructure, and fires from oil and gas refineries.

Wikipedia noted that numerous spills have resulted from damage to Iraq’s oil infrastructure, and the lack of water treatment facilities at Iraqi refineries has led to pollution from those installations.  The damaged infrastructure due to past wars and conflicts is one of the factors of pollution in Iraq

As of 2017, Iraq was one of only 3 countries in the world with the widespread use of leaded engine gasoline for automobiles, the others being Algeria and Yemen.  Also, in June 2003, a fire at the Al-Mishraq state-run sulfur plant near Mosul burned for 3 weeks and was the largest human-made release of sulfur dioxide ever recorded

8. Bahrain

Bahrain is a middle eastern country and one of the most polluted countries in the world, with an annual average concentration of 49.8 µg/m³ of micrograms. According to IQAir.com, most pollutants come from sandstorms, industrial emissions, private vehicle usage, and the manufacture of fertilizer.

According to the United Nation, Industrialization combined with the population increase has brought major environmental problems to the land area of Bahrain, some of which include scarcity of water, desertification, atmospheric pollution, urbanization, and alteration of water levels.

It is important to note that the major emission sources of air pollution in Bahrain are a petroleum refinery, automobiles, an aluminum smelter, and power generation stations. Also, Pollution monitoring and control are currently inadequate in the rapidly developing Kingdom.

7. Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is faced with numerous environmental issues such as Air and water pollution, climate change, ozone layer depletion, desertification, and biodiversity loss. With an annual average concentration of 50.8 µg/m³ of micrograms, the central Asia country takes eighth place among the top 10 most polluted countries in the world.

The United Nation environmental program cited the use of coal in homes for heating, a coal-fired heat and power station, the city’s municipal dump, and vehicles, as the main sources of air pollution in the country. Wikipedia also states the country’s energy and construction, mining, and processing industries are major contributors.

92 mining sites that contain 250 million cubic meters of toxic and radioactive waste are located in Kyrgyzstan. Also, the country is subject to more than 20 natural hazards including earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, GLOFs, flooding, mudflows, rock slides, etc. that pose a threat to people’s health and cause property damage.

6. Oman

With an annual average concentration of 53.9 µg/m³ of micrograms, Oman takes seventh place among the top 10 most polluted countries in the world. Like in Bahrain, Dust storms are one of the common sources of natural air pollution in the region.

According to the Travel Doctor Network, crude oil production and refining and vehicle emissions are major contributors to poor air quality in Oman Available data indicates that Muscat and Sohar City have consistently high levels of air pollution.

By the World Health Organization’s guidelines, the air quality in Oman is considered unsafe – the most recent data indicates the country’s annual mean concentration of PM2.5 is 53.9 µg/m3, exceeding the recommended maximum of 10 µg/m3.

5. India

India takes fifth place among the top 10 most polluted countries in the world, with an annual average concentration of 58.1 µg/m³. Air pollution in India is a severe environmental issue. Of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 were in India in 2019 at least 140 million people in India breathe air which is over the WHO safe limit.

51% of the pollution is caused by industrial pollution, 27 % by vehicles, 17% by crop burning, and 5% by other sources.  Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year. Emissions come from vehicles and industry, whereas in rural areas, much of the corruption stems from biomass burning for cooking and keeping warm.

The large-scale crop residue burning in agriculture fields in autumn and Spring is a major source of smoke, smog, and particulate pollution. India has low per capita emissions of greenhouse gases but the country as a whole is the third largest greenhouse gas producer after China and the United States. A 2013 study on non-smokers found that Indians have 30% weaker lung function than Europeans.

4. Tajikistan

Like many countries on this list, they are numerous environmental issues in Tajikistan some of which include concentrations of agricultural chemicals and salts in the soil and groundwater,  poor management of water resources, and soil erosion. Additionally, untreated industrial waste and water pollution in the Aral Sea Basin.

Air pollution is one of the environmental issues in Tajikistan. Pockets of high air pollution caused by industry and motor vehicles have resulted in Tajikistan ranking 133rd in the world in greenhouse gas emissions. Dust and sand from the deserts of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan also cause air pollution across the entire southwestern region.

Although a destructive civil war, budget shortfalls, poverty, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union reduced industrial and agricultural activity, these issues, as well as the destruction of infrastructure and loss of Soviet programs have amplified these environmental concerns.

3. Pakistan

The Taliban-led Pakistan takes third place among the top 10 most populated countries in the world in 2023, with an annual average concentration of 66.8 µg/m³ of micrograms. The country, with a population of 231 million people is faced with numerous kinds of environmental issues such as air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, climate change, pesticide misuse, soil erosion, natural disasters, desertification, e.t.c

The World Bank report in 2013 stated that Pakistan’s top environmental issues include air pollution, inadequate supply of uncontaminated drinking water, noise pollution, and the health deterioration of urban and rural populations due to pollution. These environmental concerns not only harm Pakistani citizens but also pose a serious threat to the country’s economy. The report also stated that the increase in industrialization, urbanization, and motorization will inevitably worsen this problem.

2.  Chad

Central African, country, Chad takes second place among the most polluted countries in the world, the sparsely populated country has an annual average concentration of 75.9 µg/m³ of micrograms.  Around 90% of its 16m people live in the southern half of the country, as most of the northern half extends well into the Sahara desert.

Due to the country’s extension into the Sahara desert, its inhabitants experience natural hazards such as hot, dry, dusty, Harmattan winds, periodic drought, and locust plagues. Other environmental issues include  inadequate supplies of potable water and improper waste disposal in rural areas and desertification

According to Stateofglobalair.com, Air pollution is the 3rd leading risk factor for premature death in the country, accounting for nearly 10% of deaths — more than 14,000 — in Chad in 2017 alone. Considered separately, household air pollution and outdoor air pollution are ranked as the 6th and 17th leading risk factors.

1. Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the most polluted country in the world, with an annual average concentration of 76.9 µg/m³ of micrograms It has led the table in both 2020 and 2019 and although their emissions have decreased, it’s not a big enough drop to halt the climate crisis and ensure the health of its citizens.

Whilst Bangladesh sees many sources of pollution, the main causes of pollution in Bangladesh are vehicular emissions, fumes from factories and brick kilns, as well as dust accumulations from various sources. Aside from air pollution,  the country currently also faces several environmental issues such as groundwater metal contamination, increased groundwater salinity, cyclones, flooding, sedimentation, and changing patterns of stream flow due to watershed mismanagement.

Many of these issues are further exacerbated by climate change, which causes the increased occurrence of storms and cyclones and rising sea levels. According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index, Bangladesh is the 43rd most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change, and the 37th least prepared country to address these effects.

Conclusion

It is quite surprising to see that the largest greenhouse gas-producing countries such as China and the United States are missing from the list. Here is however a recap of the 10 most polluted countries in the world and their annual average concentration of micrograms.

Read More:

• Top 10 Most Polluted Places in the World
• Top 10 Countries With Lowest Crime Rate In The World
• Countries With The Highest Tax Rate (Top 10)
• https://rnn.ng/top-countries-the-with-highest-population/

Sources

• https://www.u-earth.eu/post/world-most-least-polluted-countries
• https://theconversation.com/chad-is-the-country-most-vulnerable-to-climate-change-heres-why-78423
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_environmental_issues