World's Most Polluted Countries

Bangladesh

Challenge: Severe air pollution driven by industrial emissions, brick kilns, and vehicular traffic. Dhaka often tops the list of the most polluted cities globally.

Pakistan

Challenge: High levels of air pollution due to industrial activity, vehicular emissions, and widespread use of solid fuels for cooking and heating.

Mongolia

Challenge: Harsh winters and reliance on coal-burning for heating in urban centers like Ulaanbaatar lead to significant air pollution.

Afghanistan

Challenge: Heavy reliance on biomass and coal for household energy, along with emissions from old vehicles, leads to extremely poor air quality.

Nepal 

Challenge: Kathmandu Valley is highly polluted due to vehicular emissions, dust, and industrial output, compounded by geographical factors that trap air.

Bahrain

Challenge: Fossil fuel extraction and use, as well as industrial pollution, contribute to high levels of air pollution in this small Gulf nation.

China

Challenge: Industrial emissions, coal use for energy, and vehicular traffic have historically made China one of the most polluted countries, although efforts are being made to curb pollution.