Pius IkeThe most polluted cities in the world are those that have the worst air quality. This is often as a direct result of human activity; particularly in the form of industry; pollution is often a byproduct of economic growth, which mankind cannot shy away from.
It is easy enough to clean up the environment when the pollutants are in the form of solid waste; either from domestic or industrial production. However, cleaning up the air is a lot more difficult; it takes a lot of money, research, and policy maker.
What is more; the results of some of the steps taken so far are being contested.
Top 50 Most Polluted Cities In The World
1. Xiangtan, China
Xiangtan tops the global pollution charts in 2025, with consistently hazardous air quality levels. Located in Hunan Province, this industrial hub suffers from coal-fired power plants, steel production, and vehicular emissions. Dense smog blankets the city, especially in winter, causing respiratory issues and reduced visibility. Despite government efforts to curb emissions, rapid urbanization and outdated infrastructure continue to fuel pollution. Residents often rely on air purifiers and masks, and outdoor activity is limited. Xiangtan’s pollution crisis highlights the urgent need for cleaner energy and stricter environmental enforcement in China’s industrial heartlands.
2. Zhuzhou, China
Zhuzhou, another Hunan Province city, ranks second globally for air pollution. Known for its heavy chemical and metallurgical industries, the city emits high levels of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Industrial smoke stacks and traffic congestion contribute to persistent smog, making it difficult for residents to breathe clean air. Schools and hospitals frequently issue air quality warnings, and asthma cases are on the rise. Although the government has introduced green initiatives, enforcement remains inconsistent. Zhuzhou’s struggle reflects the broader challenge of balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability in China’s manufacturing zones.
3. Changsha, China
Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, is a major commercial and industrial center plagued by severe air pollution. With a growing population and booming construction sector, the city’s air quality has deteriorated rapidly. PM2.5 levels often exceed safe limits, especially during winter months when coal heating is prevalent. Vehicular emissions, industrial output, and dust from construction sites are key contributors. While Changsha has invested in public transport and green spaces, these efforts are overshadowed by unchecked urban sprawl. The city’s pollution poses serious health risks, particularly for children and the elderly.
4. Shaoshanzhan, China
Shaoshanzhan, a lesser-known city in Hunan, has emerged as one of the most polluted places in the world. Despite its small size, the city’s proximity to coal plants and industrial zones has led to alarmingly high AQI levels. Residents face daily exposure to toxic air, with limited access to healthcare or pollution mitigation tools. The city’s infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle environmental stress, and public awareness remains low. Shaoshanzhan’s situation underscores how even smaller urban centers can become pollution hotspots when surrounded by unchecked industrial activity.
5. Sangareddy, India
Sangareddy, located in Telangana, India, has seen a dramatic rise in pollution due to rapid industrialization and vehicular growth. The city hosts numerous pharmaceutical and chemical factories, which release harmful pollutants into the air. Construction dust, burning of waste, and diesel-powered transport further degrade air quality. Residents frequently report respiratory ailments, and schools often suspend outdoor activities. Despite national clean air campaigns, enforcement in smaller cities like Sangareddy remains weak. The city’s pollution crisis reflects the broader environmental challenges facing India’s fast-growing tier-2 urban centers.
6. Fatehabad, India
Fatehabad, in Haryana, is grappling with severe air pollution driven by agricultural burning, industrial emissions, and vehicular traffic. During harvest seasons, stubble burning in nearby fields causes PM2.5 levels to spike dramatically. The city’s proximity to Delhi exacerbates the issue, as pollution drifts across state lines. Residents experience frequent smog, eye irritation, and breathing difficulties. Government bans on crop burning have had limited success due to lack of alternatives for farmers. Fatehabad’s air quality crisis highlights the intersection of environmental policy, agriculture, and public health in northern India.
7. Yiyang, China
Yiyang, another city in Hunan Province, suffers from chronic air pollution due to its coal-based energy infrastructure and industrial base. The city’s AQI regularly enters the “unhealthy” range, with PM2.5 and PM10 levels far exceeding WHO guidelines. Factories, power plants, and traffic congestion contribute to the toxic haze that envelops the city. While local authorities have introduced emission controls, enforcement is inconsistent. Public health campaigns are underway, but many residents lack access to protective equipment or clean indoor air. Yiyang’s pollution reflects the environmental cost of China’s industrial expansion.
8. Rongjiawan, China
Rongjiawan, a small city in Hunan, has unexpectedly ranked among the world’s most polluted due to its proximity to heavy industry and coal-fired power plants. Despite its modest population, the city’s air quality is severely compromised, with frequent smog and high PM2.5 concentrations. Limited public infrastructure and healthcare access make the situation worse for vulnerable populations. Efforts to monitor and reduce emissions are still in early stages. Rongjiawan’s case illustrates how environmental degradation can affect even lesser-known cities when industrial activity is poorly regulated.
9. Patancheruvu, India
Patancheruvu, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, is a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub—and a pollution hotspot. The city’s air is laden with chemical residues, dust, and vehicular emissions. Industrial waste burning and lax environmental oversight have led to dangerously high AQI levels. Residents report chronic respiratory issues, and water pollution is also a concern. Despite being part of a major metro area, Patancheruvu lacks adequate pollution control infrastructure. The city’s environmental crisis has drawn attention from activists and researchers, but meaningful reform remains elusive.
10. Kaimla, India
Kaimla, a village in Haryana, has become one of the most polluted places in the world due to its proximity to agricultural burning zones and industrial corridors. Seasonal stubble burning causes massive spikes in PM2.5 levels, while nearby factories contribute to year-round pollution. The village lacks basic air quality monitoring and healthcare facilities, leaving residents vulnerable. Children and the elderly are particularly at risk. Kaimla’s inclusion in this list highlights how rural and peri-urban areas are increasingly affected by pollution, often without the resources or visibility to address it.
Based on real-time AQI and PM2.5 data from AQI.in and IQAir, here are the cities with the highest pollution levels:
| Rank | City | Country | AQI Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xiangtan | China | Severe (AQI 201) |
| 2 | Zhuzhou | China | Unhealthy (AQI 199) |
| 3 | Changsha | China | Unhealthy (AQI 189) |
| 4 | Shaoshanzhan | China | Unhealthy (AQI 188) |
| 5 | Sangareddy | India | Unhealthy (AQI 187) |
| 6 | Fatehabad | India | Unhealthy (AQI 183) |
| 7 | Yiyang | China | Unhealthy (AQI 181) |
| 8 | Rongjiawan | China | Unhealthy (AQI 180) |
| 9 | Patancheruvu | India | Unhealthy (AQI 179) |
| 10 | Kaimla | India | Unhealthy (AQI 179) |
| 11 | Dharuhera | India | Unhealthy (AQI 179) |
| 12 | Yingzhong | China | Unhealthy (AQI 176) |
| 13 | Solapur | India | Unhealthy (AQI 174) |
| 14 | Vikarabad | India | Unhealthy (AQI 174) |
| 15 | Nagari | India | Unhealthy (AQI 173) |
| 16 | Kannur | India | Unhealthy (AQI 172) |
| 17 | Hajipur Industrial Area | India | Unhealthy (AQI 169) |
| 18 | Nashik | India | Unhealthy (AQI 168) |
| 19 | Kinshasa | DR Congo | Unhealthy (AQI 172) |
| 20 | Karachi | Pakistan | Unhealthy (AQI 164) |
| 21 | Dakar | Senegal | Unhealthy (AQI 137) |
| 22 | Hangzhou | China | Unhealthy (AQI 132) |
| 23 | Manama | Bahrain | Unhealthy (AQI 117) |
| 24 | Dhaka | Bangladesh | Unhealthy (AQI 112) |
| 25 | Kolkata | India | Unhealthy (AQI 110) |
| 26 | Almaty | Kazakhstan | Unhealthy (AQI 108) |
| 27 | Manila | Philippines | Unhealthy (AQI 102) |
| 28 | Doha | Qatar | Unhealthy (AQI 97) |
| 29 | Kuwait City | Kuwait | Unhealthy (AQI 96) |
| 30 | Beijing | China | Unhealthy (AQI 92) |
| 31 | Wuhan | China | Unhealthy (AQI 86) |
| 32 | Bishkek | Kyrgyzstan | Unhealthy (AQI 84) |
| 33 | Jakarta | Indonesia | Unhealthy (AQI 84) |
| 34 | Dubai | United Arab Emirates | Unhealthy (AQI 84) |
| 35 | Tashkent | Uzbekistan | Unhealthy (AQI 82) |
| 36 | Delhi | India | Unhealthy (AQI 80) |
| 37 | Lahore | Pakistan | Unhealthy |
| 38 | Cairo | Egypt | Unhealthy |
| 39 | Tehran | Iran | Unhealthy |
| 40 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | Unhealthy |
| 41 | Ulaanbaatar | Mongolia | Unhealthy |
| 42 | Kathmandu | Nepal | Unhealthy |
| 43 | Hanoi | Vietnam | Unhealthy |
| 44 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam | Unhealthy |
| 45 | Accra | Ghana | Unhealthy |
| 46 | Lagos | Nigeria | Unhealthy |
| 47 | Port Harcourt | Nigeria | Unhealthy |
| 48 | Nairobi | Kenya | Unhealthy |
| 49 | Casablanca | Morocco | Unhealthy |
| 50 | Antananarivo | Madagascar | Unhealthy |
Closing
Available data indicates that the most polluted cities in the world are mostly located in Western Asia; with India making the most contributions to the number. Southeast Asia and the Middle East also suffer from air pollution, but it seems that technology is proving quite effective in dispelling polluted air; thus improving air quality.