Tajikistan, Uzbekistan in Top 10 Most Polluted Countries
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- Tajikistan recorded an average PM2.5 level of 57.3 µg/m³ in 2025, 11.5 times higher than WHO guidelines, ranking it as the third most polluted country globally
- Uzbekistan was identified as one of the top 10 countries with the worst air quality in 2025, though specific PM2.5 figures were not provided in the report summary
- IQAir published the 2025 World Air Quality Report, measuring pollution levels across 143 countries and highlighting a significant regional deterioration in Central Asia
- Central Asia experienced a marked increase in air pollution in 2025, with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan emerging as two of the most severely affected nations
Why it matters: Tajikistan’s PM2.5 level at 11.5 times the WHO limit signals a severe public health crisis affecting millions, particularly in urban centers where respiratory risks rise sharply. The region’s ranking among the world’s most polluted places elevates pressure on governments to prioritize environmental policy amid growing health and economic costs.
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