1 / 101. Delhi, India | While several Delhi locations, such as Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Wazirpur, Alipur, and Burari Crossing, crossed 401 and reached the “severe” level, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday is roughly 410 at 11:38 am, firmly placing it in the “hazardous” category, according to recent statistics from the Swiss air quality company IQAir in October 2025. (Image: PTI)
2 / 102. Lahore, Pakistan | Lahore came in behind New Delhi as the second most polluted city in the world. With an AQI of roughly 209-266, the list classified Lahore as “very unhealthy,” with PM2.5 concentrations of 105 µg/m³, which is 21 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline value. (Image: Reuters)
3 / 103. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo | The air quality in Kinshasa continues to be terrible, often exceeding the average pollution levels worldwide. On Wednesday, the AQI hit 187, which puts it in the “unhealthy” level. Kinshasa’s average PM2.5 concentration is 107 µg/m³, along with its terrible air quality conditions.
4 / 104. Kolkata, India | The air quality in Kolkata, India, is poor. When the AQI exceeds 150, it is deemed “unhealthy,” with PM2.5 concentrations predominating. With a live AQI of 170, Kolkata was rated as the 4th most polluted major metropolis worldwide. (Image: Canva)
5 / 105. Karachi, Pakistan Karachi is one of the most polluted large cities in the world, with air quality frequently falling into the “very poor” to “unhealthy” categories. An AQI of 345 was recorded on a day in October 2025, indicating extreme air pollution. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 106. Kuwait City, Kuwait | Kuwait City has been classified as one of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world in 2025, with the overall live AQI 165, and PM2.5 of 56 µg/m³, which is currently 11.2 times the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value. It often makes its air quality the “unhealthy” or “very unhealthy” level.
7 / 107. Dhaka, Bangladesh | The Swiss air quality company IQAir states that Dhaka is regularly listed as one of the most polluted cities in the world, securing the 7th spot in 2025. With an AQI of 162 and PM2.5 of 60.5 µg/m³, Dhaka emerges as another “unhealthy” city to reside in. (Image: Reuters)
8 / 108. Tashkent, Uzbekistan The air quality in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, has been deemed poor, with the PM2.5 concentrations being the main cause of the “unhealthy” AQI of 152. On Wednesday (local time), Tashkent emerged as the 8th most polluted major city in the world, with neighbouring cities like Samarkand also having an impact. (Image: Shutterstock)
9 / 109. Baghdad, Iraq | Baghdad is currently among the most polluted cities in the world, with an AQI of more than 150, which is categorised as “unhealthy,” according to recent IQAir data. While specific 2025 reports may differ, a recurring issue is the high levels of PM2.5 pollution in several Middle Eastern cities, including Baghdad. (Image: Reuters)
10 / 1010. Dubai, United Arab Emirates | According to IQAir, Dubai’s average annual PM2.5 concentration for 2025 is 49 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 134, which is in the “moderate” range. The current PM2.5 concentration is 9.8 times higher than the annual PM2.5 guideline threshold set by the WHO. (Image: Reuters)
