Fresh air still influences a lot of our daily choices. It affects where we settle, where we go to switch off, and how we spend time with others. And it’s a fundamental driver of our health.
In Europe, Andorra, Estonia and Iceland are the only countries that met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline – 5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) – in 2025.
A new report highlights a worsening global air quality situation, with only 14% of surveyed cities meeting WHO guidelines, a drop from 17% in the previous year.
New data shows global air quality progress stalling as wildfire smoke and climate change intensify global air pollution. Despite some regional improvements, major data gaps remain, with only a fraction of the global population having access to hyper-local, real-time air quality information.
IQAir today announced the release of its 8th annual World Air Quality Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of global air pollution data from 2025 and highlighting persistent health risks, emerging regional trends and critical monitoring gaps worldwide.
In Europe only Andorra, Estonia and Iceland are among just 13 countries and territories globally that remained within safe limits. The other countries included Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, French Polynesia, Grenada, New Caledonia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Réunion, and the US Virgin Islands.
That means 130 of the 143 countries covered – or 91 per cent – did not meet safe guidelines. The five most polluted countries were Pakistan (67.3 µg/m³), Bangladesh (66.1 µg/m³), Tajikistan (57.3 µg/m³), Chad (53.6 µg/m³) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (50.2 µg/m³).
Air pollution crisis
For this year’s report, IQAir analyzed data from monitoring stations across 9,446 cities in 143 countries, regions and territories. The report adds 12 countries and territories not included last year, seven of which appear in the dataset for the first time ever—marking continued expansion of global air quality monitoring coverage.
Across Europe, 23 countries recorded increases in annual average PM2.5 concentrations, 18 recorded decreases, and one was newly added. Switzerland and Greece experienced increases exceeding 30% due to transboundary wildfire smoke from Northern America and Saharan dust from Africa. Malta recorded the largest decrease at nearly 24%.
The 2025 report underscores the importance of expanding air quality monitoring networks, particularly through low-cost sensors that empower communities, researchers and policymakers with actionable data.
“The World Air Quality Report reveals two competing realities: an air pollution crisis and the rise of communities, scientists and data working to meet the challenge,” states Dr. Aidan Farrow, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace International.
In 2025, familiar culprits like industrial agriculture, wildfires and fossil fuels left their mark in the data collated by IQAir worldwide. This open, transparent data is an essential tool for holding polluters accountable and securing a healthy environment for everyone.
Dr. Aidan Farrow, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace Internationa
IQAir’s 2025 World Air Quality Report serves as a global benchmark to understand air pollution exposure, inform policy decisions and accelerate collective efforts toward cleaner air worldwide.
30.04.2026.
