Nicosia has been ranked the third most polluted capital city in the European Union, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report released by air quality technology firm IQAir.
The report revealed that Nicosia recorded an annual average PM2.5 pollution level of 15.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), significantly above the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended annual limit of 5 µg/m³.
Only Bucharest, Romania (15.7 µg/m³) and Ljubljana, Slovenia (15.6 µg/m³) recorded worse pollution among EU capital cities.
Globally, Nicosia ranks 62nd among 138 capital cities assessed, highlighting ongoing air quality challenges despite local environmental initiatives.
Cyprus as a whole ranks 87th globally, with a nationwide average PM2.5 concentration of 12.7 µg/m³.
The global study identified Chad (91.8 µg/m³), Bangladesh (78.0 µg/m³), and Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³) as the world’s most polluted countries, with only 12 countries worldwide meeting the WHO’s air quality guidelines.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution has been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental harm, especially in children. IQAir stressed that exposure to high PM2.5 levels remains the second leading global risk factor for death after malnutrition, urging policymakers to enhance monitoring and pollution reduction strategies.
The report drew data from 8,954 cities across 138 countries, sourced from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations.
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