1 / 7Air pollution remains a severe challenge across several developing nations, with Chad ranking first with the worst air quality. An Air Quality Index (AQI) of 176 and extremely high PM2.5 levels are largely driven by dust storms and biomass burning2 / 7Air pollution remains a severe challenge across several developing nations, with Chad ranking first with the worst air quality. 5 / 7Tajikistan and Nepal, placed sixth and seventh, reflect how geography and energy use patterns worsen air quality. In both countries, rising pollution levels are linked to vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and biomass burning, with residential heating also contributing in Rwanda. 7 / 7While their AQI levels are lower than the top-ranked nations, air pollution remains a growing public health concern as urbanisation accelerate.

Source: News 24 February 02, 2026 02:55 UTC