5 Countries That Produce the Most Pollution in the World

In this article, we will look into the 5 countries that produce the most pollution in the world. If you want to read our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 20 Countries That Produce the Most Pollution in the World.

5. Bangladesh

Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 79.9 μg/m³

Total Waste Generation (2018): 80.07 Mega tonnes per year

Total GHG Emissions (2020): 224.35 Mega tonnes of CO2e

EPI Water and Sanitation Score (2020): 27.3

Insider Monkey Score: 26.8

Bangladesh generated 224.35 mega tonnes of CO2e in 2020. It has the worst air quality in the world, as of 2023. The country is ranked 5th on our list of countries that produce the most pollution in the world.

4. China

Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 32.5 μg/m³

Total Waste Generation (2018): 9.2 Giga tonnes per year

Total GHG Emissions (2020): 12.29 Giga tonnes of CO2e

EPI Water and Sanitation Score (2020): 59.4

Insider Monkey Score: 16.8

China ranks 4th on our list. The country is the largest emitter of GHG emissions and also the biggest producer of waste. As of 2023, it had a PM2.5 concentration of 32.5 μg/m³.

3. Indonesia

Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 37.1 μg/m³

Total Waste Generation (2018): 171.39 Mega tonnes per year

Total GHG Emissions (2020): 1.47 Giga tonnes of CO2e

EPI Water and Sanitation Score (2020): 28.4

Insider Monkey Score: 13.7

Indonesia is one of the countries that produce the most pollution in the world. In 2020, the country generated 1.47 Giga tonnes of CO2e. It is also one of the biggest waste producers.

2. Pakistan

Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 73.7 μg/m³

Total Waste Generation (2018): 22.50 Mega tonnes per year

Total GHG Emissions (2020): 443.60 Mega tonnes of CO2e

EPI Water and Sanitation Score (2020): 17.4

Insider Monkey Score: 12.2

Pakistan is one of the top countries with the worst air in the world. In 2020, the country emitted 443.6 megatonnes of CO2e. It is ranked 2nd on our list.

1. India

Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration (2023): 54.4 μg/m³

Total Waste Generation (2018): 226.59 Mega tonnes per year

Total GHG Emissions (2020): 3.17 Giga tonnes of CO2e

EPI Water and Sanitation Score (2020): 19.4

Insider Monkey Score: 9.3

India tops our list of the countries that produce the most pollution in the world. The country is one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases. In 2018, the country generated 226.59 mega tonnes of CO2e.

You can also look at 15 Countries with the Highest Life Expectancy in Asia and 30 Countries that Receive the Most Aid from UNDP.