Top 10 Most Polluted Cities In The World Today: Indian Cities Dominate The List After Diwali

Most Polluted Cities In The World Today:  Air pollution is one of the most concerning health and environmental challenges across the globe. The major reasons for air pollution are burning of fossil fuels, automobiles, agricultural activities, factories and industries and much more. It is life-threatening and may have long-term effects on the human body. According to the latest available data from the worldwide air quality index, the cities with the world's air pollution are situated in South Asia, especially India, with the ongoing Diwali celebration, which also includes the festivities of bursting firecrackers. Here is a list of the top ten most polluted cities in the world, as of October 22nd, 2025, 18:17 (Local time), according to the IQAir Air Quality Rankings.

List Of Top 10 Most Polluted Cities In The World Today:

Source: Live AQI has been recorded as of October 22, 2025 (Tuesday) – 18:17 IST PM – on IQAir Air Quality Rankings.

AQI Ranking System; Category-Wise Score ( Image Credit: The Daily Jagran) 

Which Are The Top 10 Most Polluted Cities In The World On October 22, 2025?

1. Kolkata

India's Kolkata is the most polluted city in the world, as of October 22nd, with an AQI of 186. All due to the city's high population and growing industrial base. Additionally, vehicle emissions and construction dust worsen the air quality here.

2. Delhi

The national capital of India, Delhi, is the second-most polluted city in the world, with an AQI of 182. The union territory experiences 'unhealthy' air quality, and a major cause of it is vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and seasonal agricultural stubble burning. Firecrackers during Diwali worsen the air quality.

3. Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh, with an AQI of 160, ranks third. Urbanisation, industrialisation, and ineffective control have pushed air pollution to high-risk levels. The people of Dhaka are subjected to long-term exposure to harmful air pollutants that influence the physical well-being of the citizens here.

4. Lahore

Fourth is Lahore, Pakistan, with an AQI of 156. It suffers from intense smog in winter due to the burning of crops from surrounding regions and excessive emissions by cars and industries.

5. Karachi

Karachi, again in Pakistan, with an AQI of 145, is also witnessing one of the worst AQI scores, all due to congested traffic jams, industrial pollution, and seasonal conditions that cause smog.

6. Almaty

Almaty, Kazakhstan, is sixth on the list, with an AQI of 131. The city has issues of pollution from traffic, factories, and domestic heating, with its hilly terrain trapping pollutants.

Also Read: Smog Stories: How Delhi's Air Pollution Crisis Escalated After 2010 | Reason And Timeline

7. Milan

Milan, Italy, is in seventh position with an AQI of 128 and is threatened by pollution from dust storms, vehicle exhausts and industrial emissions, along with stable weather conditions with low winds and little rain.

8. Beijing

Beijing, China, is ranked eighth at 119 AQI. Being a fast-paced economic centre, the region has intense traffic congestion and industrial activity, which has negatively impacted the air quality here.

9. Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, comes ninth in position with an AQI of 118. The winters in the city are cold, so there is intensive use of coal for heating, which releases huge amounts of pollutants and causes smog.

10. Kinshasa

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, concludes the list of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, with an AQI of 107. Unchecked urbanisation and unregulated industrial emissions are the main sources of worsening air quality here.

Also Read: Top 10 Most Polluted Cities In India In The First Half Of 2025: Bihar Chokes With Four Cities In Worst Air Quality

The above-mentioned list of the top ten most polluted cities is all from South Asia, all due to urbanisation, industrialisation, and seasonal agricultural residue, which cause hazardous air quality conditions. The world needs urgent, integrated policies to control emissions, sustainable urban management, and public education to improve overall health quality in the world with better air quality.