In this article, we will look into the 20 most air polluted countries in Asia. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Most Air Polluted Countries in Asia.
Air Pollution in Asia
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), about 6.5 million people die due to exposure to poor air quality every year. 70% of total deaths due to air pollution occur in Asia and the Pacific. South Asia is the most polluted region in the world. According to the 2023 Air Quality Life Index report, air pollution levels are over 50% higher compared to levels at the start of the century. The polluted air has a substantial impact on health and overall life expectancy. Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan account for over half of the total life years lost globally to air pollution. The report states that the average life expectancy in Bangladesh declined by 6.8 years. In India, an average resident lost over 10 years of life. India accounts for over 59% of the global increase in pollution since 2013. The report estimates that by following the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines for PM 2.5 levels, the global average life expectancy can increase by two to three years. South Asian countries such as Nepal and Pakistan can experience even greater additions of 4.6 years and 3.9 years respectively. You can also take a look at the African countries with the highest life expectancy.
China has reduced its pollution by 42.3% from 2013 to 2021. However, it needs more government incentives and collective efforts to cut down air pollution further. On January 11, Reuters reported that China has launched new air quality targets to support its sustainable development. These updated targets aim to decrease the national average of fine particulate matter which is a key air pollutant. It pledges to decrease the concentration levels to 28 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) by 2027 and less than 25 µg/m³ by 2035. Moreover, the plan pointed out the major areas that need stricter pollution control and highlighted reducing emissions from heavy industries, aligning with China's goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Air Pollution Control Market: An Analysis and Major Players
According to a report by Future Market Insights, the global air pollution control systems market was estimated to have reached $84.3 billion in 2023. Moving ahead, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% and reach $178.8 billion by 2033. The rise in number of automobiles and industries is expected to drive the demand for air pollution control systems. Some of the leading companies operating in the air pollution control market include Mitsubishi Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (OTC:MHVYF), BASF SE (OTC:BASFY), and Thermax Limited (NSE:THERMAX). Let's discuss them below in detail. You can also take a look at the top countries with the worst air pollution.
Mitsubishi Power is a subsidiary of the leading heavy machinery company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (OTC:MHVYF). The company is a leader in air quality control systems, providing air purification solutions by combining technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR), flue gas desulfurization (FGD), and electrostatic precipitator (ESP). The company's SCR system has a maximum capacity of 1,050 MW and provides 95% NOx removal efficiency. The FGD plants of the company also have a capacity of 1,050 MW and a maximum sulfur dioxide (SO2) removal efficiency of 99%. The diverse product portfolio of Mitsubishi Power positions Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (OTC:MHVYF) as a global leader in clean air technology.
Thermax Limited (NSE:THERMAX) is an Indian conglomerate, specializing in energy and environment solutions. Founded in 1966, the company has operations in over 90 countries. It specializes in air pollution control, wastewater solutions, net zero solutions, and clean energy transition. The company's diverse portfolio of air pollution control technologies includes electronic precipitators, pulse jet bag filters, and ComboFilter. The ComboFilter by Thermax Limited (NSE:THERMAX) combines ESP and bag house filters for stricter emissions regulation to remove dust and particulate matter. Additionally, the company offers FGD systems to capture SO2 and scrubbers to combat gaseous pollutants.
BASF SE (OTC:BASFY) is a leading chemical company, working toward environmental protection and social responsibility. The country has operations all over the world and operates through six business segments including chemicals, industrial solutions, materials, surface technologies, nutrition, and agriculture solutions. The company has an experience of over 50 years in air quality solutions. Its wide range of innovative solutions includes indoor air quality, mobile emission control catalysts, fuel inerting solutions, and stationary environmental catalysts. It provides emission control solutions for the removal of ammonia, nitrogen oxides, VOCs, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. For over 20 years, the company has been providing oxidation catalyst solutions to power generation industries. BASF SE (OTC:BASFY) has more than 700 operating or under-development units.
A large industrial smokestack, its emissions being reduced with an innovative pollution control system.
Methodology
To compile our list of the 20 most air polluted countries in Asia, we utilized the IQAir World Air Quality Ranking of 2023. It provides the annual average particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration for 134 countries. PM2.5 is considered the most hazardous pollutant in the air and is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). We have ranked the 20 most air polluted countries in Asia. in ascending order of their PM2.5 concentration, as of 2023.
20 Most Air Polluted Countries in Asia
20. Thailand
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 23.3 μg/m³
Thailand is ranked among the 20 most air polluted countries in Asia. The country has an annual average particulate matter concentration of 23.3 micrograms per cubic meter. The country has various polluted cities, known for their smoke and haze levels. Some of the most polluted cities in Thailand are Pattaya, Rayong, and Bang Lamung among others. Its PM2.5 levels are 4.5 times higher compared to the WHO standard of 5 μg/m³.
19. Armenia
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 26.4 μg/m³
Armenia ranks 19th on our list. As of 2023, the country has an average PM2.5 concentration of 26.4 μg/m³. The most polluted city in Armenia is Yerevan. The country's PM2.5 concentration is 5.3 times higher than the WHO standard.
18. Saudi Arabia
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 26.5 μg/m³
Saudi Arabia ranks 18th on our list. The country has an average annual particulate matter concentration of 26.5 μg/m³. The most polluted city in the country is Dhahran as of 2023.
17. Myanmar
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 28.2 μg/m³
Myanmar is one of the most air polluted countries in Asia. As of 2023, the country has an annual average particulate matter concentration of 28.2 μg/m³, 5.6 times higher than the WHO standard for PM2.5 levels in the air.
16. Uzbekistan
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 28.6 μg/m³
Uzbekistan is ranked 16th on our list. the country has 28.6 μg/m³ of particulate matter in the air, as of 2023. The most polluted city in Uzbekistan is Tashkent. The PM2.5 concentration of the country is 5.7 times more than the WHO standard.
15. Vietnam
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 29.6 μg/m³
Vietnam ranks 15th on our list with an annual average particulate matter concentration of 29.6 μg/m³. The country's PM2.5 concentration exceeds the safe level of PM2.5 in the atmosphere by a factor of 5.9. Tay Ho is the most air polluted city in Vietnam, as of 2023.
14. Laos
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 29.6 μg/m³
Laos has an annual average particulate matter concentration of 29.6 μg/m³ in the air, as of 2023. The country's PM 2.5 concentration5.9 times higher than the safe levels of particulate matter recommended by the WHO. The most air polluted city in Laos is Vientiane, as of 2023.
13. China
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 32.5 μg/m³
China is one of the most air polluted countries in Asia. As of 2023, the country has 32.5 μg/m³ of particulate matter in the air, exceeding the WHO threshold by a factor of 6.5. The most air polluted city in China is Hotan, as of 2023.
12. Kyrgyzstan
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 33.1 μg/m³
Kyrgyzstan ranks 12th on our list, with an annual average particulate matter concentration of 33.1 μg/m³. Jalal-Abad is the most polluted city in the country.
11. Indonesia
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 37.1 μg/m³
Indonesia is ranked among the most air polluted countries in Asia. As of 2023, the country has an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 37.1 μg/m³. Its PM2.5 concentration is 7.4 times higher than the WHO guidelines.
10. Qatar
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 37.6 μg/m³
Qatar ranks 10th on our list. The country has 37.6 μg/m³ of particulate matter in the air. The most polluted city in Qatar is Doha, as of 2023.
9. Bahrain
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 39.2 μg/m³
Bahrain is one of the most air polluted countries in Asia. As of 2023, the country has an annual average particulate matter concentration of 39.2 μg/m³. The country's PM2.5 concentration is 7.8 times more than the WHO standard.
8. Kuwait
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 39.9 μg/m³
Kuwait is ranked 8th on our list. The country has 39.9 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter in the atmosphere. Its PM2.5 concentration exceeds the WHO standard by a factor of 8.
7. Nepal
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 42.4 μg/m³
Nepal has an annual average particulate matter concentration of 42.4 μg/m³. The most polluted city in the country is Katunje, as of 2023. The PM2.5 concentration of Nepal is 8.5 times higher than the WHO standard.
6. United Arab Emirates
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 43.0 μg/m³
The United Arab Emirates is ranked 6th on our list of the most air polluted countries in Asia. As of 2023, the country has an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 43 μg/m³. The most polluted city in the country is Ras Al Khaimah.
