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30. Taipei, Taiwan -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9.9

While Taiwan's capital has a generally acceptable air quality for most individuals, sensitive groups may experience minor to moderate symptoms from long-term exposure.

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29. Washington D.C., USA -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9.8

Nearly half of Washington's air pollution originates from cars, trucks, trains, and planes.

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28. London, England -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9.6

London is regularly found to have some of the highest air pollution levels in the country. The main pollutants are generated from urban transport and the heating of homes.

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27. Kyiv, Ukraine -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9.5

Historically, one of the main sources of air pollution came from the Darnytska CHP, Energia plant. However, since the 2022 Russian invasion, Ukraine is facing widespread and possibly long-term environmental damage.

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26. Madrid, Spain -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9.5

Even at low levels, the Spanish capital's air pollution causes significant health effects. Poor air quality can aggravate or cause respiratory problems, such as asthma.

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25. Tokyo, Japan -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9.2

Rapid urbanization and industrialization resulted in many environmental issues over the last century. And while pollution may have decreased when compared to those more heavily industrialized times, there are still many traces of pollution from factories.

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24. Panama City, Panama -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 9

The air in Panama City is moderately polluted, but greater than the maximum limit established by WHO.

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23. Managua, Nicaragua -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 8.9

In accordance with WHO's guidelines, the air quality in Nicaragua's capital isn't ideal.

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22. Luanda, Angola -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 8.8

With Angola's primary port, and being its major industrial center, Luanda has moderately polluted air.

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21. Copenhagen, Denmark -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 8.7

Considered one of the most sustainable cities in the world, the Danish capital nonetheless has some problems with air pollution. This is particularly prevalent on the access roads and in the capital's inner city.

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20. Vaduz, Liechtenstein -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 8.3

The current PM2.5 concentration in Vaduz is over the recommended limit established by WHO.

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19. Phnom Penh, Cambodia -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 8.3

The capital of and most populous city in Cambodia, the majority of Phnom Penh's pollution comes from the subsequent rise in vehicles.

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18. San José, Costa Rica -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 7.9

With an acceptable air quality, some pollutants can still affect sensitive people with conditions like asthma.

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17. Lisbon, Portugal -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 7.5

The Portuguese capital's current PM2.5 concentration is above the recommended number.

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16. La Paz, Bolivia -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 7.3

The capital of Bolivia has good air quality overall for most individuals.

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15. Dublin, Ireland -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 7.1

One of the main causes of Dublin's air pollution levels are fumes and emissions coming from vehicles.

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14. Paramaribo, Suriname -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 7

A bit above the recommended PM2.5 level, the air quality is generally acceptable for most individuals in Paramaribo.

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13. Oslo, Norway -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 6.9

A fairly sustainable city, the largest sources of air pollution in Oslo today are road traffic and heating.

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12. Stockholm, Sweden -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 6.8

Known for being a 'green' city, nonetheless, most of the polluted air in Stockholm is generated by vehicle use.

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11. Ottawa, Canada -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 6.8

Similar to many other cities, one of the main causes of air pollution in Ottawa are vehicular fumes and emissions.

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10. Cape Town, South Africa -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 6.7

Cape Town, as with many urban areas globally, faces a number of environmental challenges, mainly from vehicle fumes and emissions.

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9. Helsinki, Finland -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 5.5

Thanks to protective initiatives in play, as well as meteorological and geographical factors, air pollution is much reduced in the Finnish capital.

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8. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 5

Just at the limit of WHO's recommendation, Port of Spain has fairly good air quality.

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7. Tallinn, Estonia -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 4.8

This Baltic city has relatively good air quality and low pollution levels. Perfect for a city stroll!

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6. Saint George’s, Grenada -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 3.8 

One thing is certain, you'll get some clean, fresh air on this Caribbean island!

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5. Nouméa, New Caledonia -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 3.5 

The capital of the South Pacific archipelago and overseas French territory of New Caledonia, Nouméa has great air quality.

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4. San Juan, Puerto Rico -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 3.3

The capital in the Caribbean with the best air quality goes to San Juan!

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3. Reykjavík, Iceland -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 3.3

Coming in a respectable third place, Reykjavík is the only European capital to break the top five.

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2. Hamilton, Bermuda -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 3

With the ideal air quality for outdoor activities, visitors and locals don't have to worry much about air pollution here!

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1. Canberra, Australia -

Average PM2.5 Concentration: 2.8

At number one is the Australian capital of Canberra! However, during summer, the city can see a rise in air pollution from nearby bushfires.

Sources: (IQAir) (Visual Capitalist)  

See also: The safest countries to avoid natural disasters

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