Pollution is one of the issues that cities across the world are facing, for which many have been implementing measures to deal with it. Hazy skylines, irritated throats, while the constant hum of traffic that never quite stops. For millions living in these cities, pollution is that issue that they need to deal with on a daily basis. Numbeo’s Pollution Index, built largely on user perception data and supplemented with institutional sources like the World Health Organization, offers a snapshot of how residents experience this reality on the ground.
The Pollution Index does not currently show direct concentrations of particulate matter or chemicals. Rather, it reflects how people encounter pollution in their daily lives, how easy the air is to breathe, how clean streets look and how accessible green spaces are. And that’s likely why cities such as Gurgaon (11th) and Delhi (13th) are seen emerging further down the list, despite global recognition for severe air pollution.
The index compiles survey responses regarding air and water quality, waste management, noise and light pollution, access to green spaces, and general comfort levels. Individual assessments are transformed into values ranging from 0 to 100, with greater numbers signifying more severe pollution. Although based on perception, the data mirrors lived experience and often correlates closely with scientific measurements. Here are ten cities that are currently among the top in the world according to Numbeo’s Pollution Index.
