Air pollution is one of the leading causes of death around the world. Therefore you may be curious: where is the cleanest air in the world? And what country has the best air quality? Smart Air analyzed 2022 air pollution data from 533 major cities spanning 88 countries in the world to create the 2023 ranking of the “25 Least Polluted Cities in the World” to find cleanest city in the world.
The rankings for best air quality in the world are based on PM2.5 air pollution data from the 12 months prior to the publication date.
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Top 5 Least Polluted Cities in the World (2022 Rankings)
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Read on for the full list of 25 cities with the best air quality in the world and an analysis of what this data means.
1. Zürich, Switzerland (0.49 µg/m3)
2. Perth, Australia (1.61 µg/m3)
3. Richards Bay, South Africa (2.38 µg/m3)
4. Hobart, Australia (2.55 µg/m3)
5. Reykjavík, Iceland (3.38 µg/m3)
6. Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine (3.42 µg/m3)
7. Launceston, Australia (3.51 µg/m3)
8. Wollongong, Australia (3.70 µg/m3)
9. Sydney, Australia (3.85 µg/m3)
10. Honolulu, United States (3.91 µg/m3)
11. Uppsala, Sweden (4.07 µg/m3)
12. Turku, Finland (4.17 µg/m3)
13. Haiphong, Vietnam (4.28 µg/m3)
14. Huế, Vietnam (4.32 µg/m3)
15. Tampere, Finland (4.38 µg/m3)
16. Newcastle, Australia (4.46 µg/m3)
17. Adelaide, Australia (4.49 µg/m3)
18. Tallinn, Estonia (4.57 µg/m3)
19. Halifax, Canada (4.68 µg/m3)
20. Vancouver, Canada (4.69 µg/m3)
21. Ternópil, Ukraine (4.77 µg/m3)
22. Oulu, Finland (4.80 µg/m3)
23. Castellón de la Plana, Spain (4.82 µg/m3)
24. Trondheim, Norway (4.85 µg/m3)
25. Stockholm, Sweden (5.00 µg/m3)
Read More: The 25 Most Polluted Cities of 2023?
What is the Least Polluted Country in the World?
Australia topped the list as the least polluted country in the world, with 7 cities in the top 25. Of the 25 least polluted cities in the world with the best air quality, Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland) dominated the rankings with some of the cleanest air in the world in 2022.
15 out of the 25 cities with the best and cleanest air were either in Nordic countries or Australia. Zürich, Switzerland once again ranked as the least polluted city in the world. Australia and Finland were the only countries having at least 3 cities ranking in the top 25 least polluted cities in the world.
There is research that even little amounts of pollution such as those typically present in these least polluted cities can have an impact on health.
Below is a pollution heat map from the WHO. WHO research shows that over 99% of people in the world are breathing unsafe air with high air pollution levels.
How Air Pollution Was Measured to Find Least Polluted Cities in World
The above rankings of the 2023 least polluted cities in the world were ranked based on their average PM2.5pollution levels from the 12 months prior to the publication date.
These small pollutants have a width of less than 2.5 micrometers and are considered to be one of the moredangerous pollutantsdue to their ability to enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
Open Data
The PM2.5 AQI 2022 world pollution data used for the rankings of the world’s worst polluted cities are openly available in this excel file. To download the complete raw data visit https://aqicn.org/data-platform/covid19/.
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As an air quality expert deeply immersed in the study of environmental pollution, I find the recent data on the least polluted cities in the world immensely intriguing. The information provided by Smart Air is particularly commendable, as it draws upon the 2022 air pollution data from 533 major cities across 88 countries. This extensive analysis allows us to pinpoint the 25 cities with the best air quality, shedding light on the global scenario of air pollution and its impact on public health.
The methodology employed by Smart Air in creating the rankings is robust, relying on PM2.5 air pollution data from the 12 months preceding the publication date. PM2.5 particles, with a width of less than 2.5 micrometers, are known for their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, making them one of the more dangerous pollutants. The emphasis on this specific pollutant provides a comprehensive understanding of the air quality in each city.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of the top 25 least polluted cities in the world, as unveiled by the rankings:
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Zürich, Switzerland (0.49 µg/m3): Zürich claims the top spot with an impressively low PM2.5 level, signifying exceptionally clean air.
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Perth, Australia (1.61 µg/m3): Australia, as a nation, emerges as a clean air haven, with Perth securing the second position.
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Richards Bay, South Africa (2.38 µg/m3): South Africa breaks into the top ranks, highlighting the global diversity in cities with excellent air quality.
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Hobart, Australia (2.55 µg/m3): Another Australian city, Hobart, secures a commendable position in the top 5 least polluted cities.
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Reykjavík, Iceland (3.38 µg/m3): Iceland's capital, Reykjavík, rounds up the top 5 with a PM2.5 level indicative of pristine air.
The list goes on to include cities from diverse regions, including Ukraine, Vietnam, Canada, Spain, and more. Notably, Australia emerges as the least polluted country globally, with seven of its cities making it to the top 25.
The rankings also underscore the prevalence of clean air in Nordic countries, with Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland dominating the list. Zürich, Switzerland, holds its ground as the least polluted city globally, reinforcing its commitment to air quality.
It's crucial to note that even in these least polluted cities, where air quality seems pristine, there is research indicating that even minimal levels of pollution can impact health. This underscores the global challenge posed by air pollution, as highlighted by the World Health Organization's heat map, revealing that over 99% of the world's population breathes unsafe air.
To further support individuals in protecting themselves from air pollution, Smart Air, a certified B Corp, offers empirically backed purifiers and masks at a fraction of the cost of larger corporations, challenging the notion that clean air should be a luxury.
In conclusion, these rankings provide a valuable snapshot of the cities leading the way in ensuring clean air, urging us to continue our collective efforts to address the pervasive issue of air pollution on a global scale.
