The national capital of India, Delhi has topped the list of the world's most polluted cities. After Delhi comes Kolkata, as the second most polluted city in the world in terms of exposure to hazardous fine particulate matter (PM2.5). According to the report ‘Air Quality and Health in Cities’, while New Delhi and Kolkata are among the top 10 most polluted cities, India's financial capital Mumbai has been placed at 14th position. The report is published by the State of Global Air Initiative, a collaboration between the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Global Burden of Disease project. Here is the complete list of the top 10 cities of the world designated as most polluted in the world.
Delhi, India (110): In 2019, Delhi recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 110 micrograms per cubic metre. 110 µg/m3 accounts the highest among the most populous cities in the world.
Kolkata, India (84): The city of joy Kolkata, recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 84 µg/m3.
Kano, Nigeria (83.6): Nigeria's Kano city recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 83.6 µg/m3, and ranked third in the list.
Lima, Peru (73.2): Lima the capital city of Peru recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 83.6 µg/m3.
Dhaka, Bangladesh (71.4): Dhaka, the largest and capital city of Bangladesh recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 71.4 µg/m3.
Jakarta, Indonesia (67.3): Jakarta, the most populous island in the world, is ranked as the sixth most polluted city in the world. Jakarta in Indonesia recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 67.3 µg/m3.
Karachi, Pakistan (63.6): Karachi, Pakistan recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 63.6 µg/m3.
Beijing, China (55): Capital city of China, Beijing recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 55 µg/m3.
Accra, Ghana (51.9): Accra in Ghana recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 51.9 µg/m3, is the 10th most polluted city in the world.
