2019 World Air Quality Report: Region & City PM2.5 Ranking
Air pollution constitutes the most pressing environmental health risk facing our global population. It is estimated to contribute toward 7 million premature deaths a year, while 92% of the world’s population are estimated to breathe toxic air quality (WHO, 2016). In less developed countries, 98% of children under five breathe toxic air. As a result, air pollution is the main cause of death for children under the age of 15, killing 600,000 every year (WHO, 2018). In financial terms, premature deaths due to air pollution cost about $5 trillion in welfare losses worldwide (The World Bank, 2016). This report presents PM2.5 data made publicly available during 2019, in order to highlight the state of particulate pollution around the world and raise awareness about public access to air quality data. The majority of this data has been published in real-time or near real-time, by governmental sources, as well as independently operated and validated non-governmental air quality monitors.
