Air Quality Index map shows cities with worst air in 2025
New AQI data for 2025 shows cities such as Alerce, Chile and New Delhi, India facing unhealthy to very unhealthy air, underscoring global health risks and the need for stricter pollution controls.
Key points
- Alerce, Chile recorded an AQI of 231 and New Delhi, India an AQI of 169 in 2025.
- Values above 150 are deemed hazardous for both sensitive groups and the general public.
- Real‑time AQI maps now cover more than 100 countries, letting residents monitor local pollution.
- The WHO says over 90% of people worldwide breathe air that fails safety standards.
- Most urban populations remain exposed to pollutant levels above recommended limits.
Air quality is under the global spotlight as new data for 2025 reveals alarming pollution levels in several major cities. According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings, cities like Alerce, Chile (AQI 231), and New Delhi, India (AQI 169), are experiencing “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” air, putting millions at risk The AQI measures pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3, with values above 150 considered hazardous for sensitive groups and the general public.
Real-time air quality maps now offer up-to-the-minute data for over 100 countries, allowing residents to check local pollution levels and make informed decisions about outdoor activities The World Health Organization warns that over 90% of the global population breathes air that fails to meet safety standards, with children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions most at risk.
While some European cities have made progress in reducing harmful particles, the majority of urban populations worldwide remain exposed to levels above recommended limits, highlighting the urgent need for stricter pollution controls and sustainable urban planning.
Your questions, answered
Which cities had the highest Air Quality Index in 2025?
Alerce, Chile and New Delhi, India recorded the highest AQI values, indicating unhealthy to very unhealthy air.
What does an AQI above 150 mean?
An AQI above 150 is considered hazardous, posing health risks for sensitive groups and the general public.
How many countries are covered by the real‑time AQI maps?
The maps provide up‑to‑the‑minute data for over 100 countries.
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