India remains entrenched in a severe air pollution crisis, with the air quality in many regions presenting a persistent threat to public health.
Bucking global trends, poor air quality continues to plague large sections of India's population, causing severe public health issues and endangering millions of lives
India remains entrenched in a severe air pollution crisis, with the air quality in many regions presenting a persistent threat to public health.
While global pollution saw a slight decline in 2022, thanks in part to improvements across South Asia, India's pollution levels remain alarmingly high, casting a long shadow over millions of lives.
The annual Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) indicates that while South Asians, including Indians, experienced slightly cleaner air last year, the situation in India is still dire. The country endures the greatest health burden from polluted air due to its large population exposed to these hazardous conditions.
In 2022, despite a 19.3 percent drop in particulate matter compared to the previous year, the report reveals a troubling forecast: if current pollution levels persist, the average Indian’s life expectancy could decrease by 3.4 years.
North India, home to over half a billion people and nearly 40 percent of the country’s population, remains the most polluted region. Although particulate levels in this area dropped by 17.2 percent in 2022, residents are still expected to lose about 5.4 years of life. This stark reality highlights the urgent need for more effective pollution control measures to protect public health and enhance life expectancy.
While Bangladesh holds the unenviable title of the most polluted country overall, India shoulders the heaviest health burden from polluted air, simply due to the sheer number of people exposed to it.