In this article, we look at the 10 most polluted countries in the world. You can read about companies that are trying to reduce carbon emissions to control pollution and limit environmental degradation by going over to the 30 Most Polluted Countries in the World Heading into 2024.
10. Uganda
Score: 14.5
Pollution is a serious environmental challenge in Uganda, which suffers more than some of the other African countries do. For instance, according to the WHO, Ugandans are twice more likely to die from air pollution than citizens in Kenya are. The country has a PM2.5 concentration of 39.6 μg/m³ as per IQAir.
9. Ethiopia
Score: 14
Ethiopia ranks as the fifth worst country in terms of water quality, with an EPI score of 10.9 out of 100. According to Lifewater, over 97 million people in the country do not practice proper sanitation. More than 62 million people in Ethiopia are impacted by the water crisis – which is equivalent to 7.5% of all the people in the world that face water crisis.
8. Sudan
Score: 13.5
Sudan faces a total environmental crisis due to armed conflicts, land degradation, deforestation, and air and water pollution. It is one of the most polluted countries in the world with a PM2.5 concentration of 44.6 μg/m³.
7. Bangladesh
Score: 12
According to the Air Quality Life Index 2023, residents in Bangladesh are likely to see their life expectancy reduced by 6.8 years due to pollution. This can be reversed if the country meets WHO’s air pollution guideline of 5 µg/m³. Currently, Bangladesh has a PM2.5 concentration of 65.8 μg/m³, making it the fifth most polluted country in terms of air quality.
6. Rwanda
Score: 11.5
Rwanda is the tenth most polluted country in the world for water quality, and ranks as the 13th worst when it comes to air pollution. Dust storms, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and reduction of parks, forests, and wetlands are major contributing factors of the environmental challenges facing this country.
5. India
Score: 10.5
India finds itself among countries with the most hazardous air quality. In March 2023, 12 of the 15 most polluted cities in both South and Central Asia were Indian cities. The country has a PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 μg/m³, and it does not fare well when it comes to water quality either, with an EPI score of 19.4 out of 100 – making it the 13th most water polluted country in the world.
4. Nigeria
Score: 10
Nigeria is one of the most polluted countries in the world. According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for water quality, the country has a score of 4.9 out of 100, the second lowest in the world, and only next to Chad. Causes of water pollution in Nigeria range from discharge of household and industrial wastes into rivers, to petroleum and other oil spillage in its water bodies.
3. Pakistan
Score: 7
Pakistan is the third most polluted country in the world. This is due to a high concentration of pollutants in air. According to IQAir, the country has a PM2.5 concentration of 70.9 μg/m³. One of its largest cities, Lahore, was declared to be the most polluted city in the world in 2022. The country’s water bodies also exhibit high levels of pollution. The country has an EPI score of 17.4 out of 100 for drinking water and sanitation.
2. Burkina Faso
Score: 5
8.5% of all general morbidity in Burkina Faso is attributed to indoor pollution. It is one of the most polluted countries in the world heading into 2024 with a PM2.5 concentration of 63 μg/m³. The country ranks fourth among the worst countries for water pollution according to the EPI.
1. Chad
Score: 1
Chad is the most polluted country in the world. The country has an alarmingly high PM2.5 concentration of 89.7 μg/m³ – the highest in the world for air pollution. It also ranks as the most polluted country when it comes to water quality.
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