The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated data on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators tracking the link between air pollution and health, revealing stark disparities between low- and high-income countries, according to a press release. Published on 29 June 2026, the data covers both ambient and household air pollution. While fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels dropped globally until 2020, they have since remained largely unchanged. Low- and middle-income countries face significantly higher exposure risks than high-income nations. The findings underscore growing risks for public health and the environment.
WHO serves as the custodian of environmental health-related SDG indicators, providing internationally comparable datasets informed by country data through an iterative consultation process. The new data focus on three key indicators: SDG 3.9.1 on mortality attributed to ambient and household air pollution, SDG 7.1.2 on the population relying on clean fuels and technologies, and SDG 11.6.2 on annual PM2.5 levels in cities. The methodology draws on household surveys, satellite products, and epidemiological evidence. Collaborations include the University of Glasgow, the University of Manchester, and the World Meteorological Organization. The process creates a unique, harmonized source of official data.
In 2023, the number of people exposed to air quality exceeding the least stringent interim target of 35 ug/m3 was thirteen times higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income ones, affecting 6.5 billion people. In 2024, approximately 2 billion people still relied on inefficient stoves and fuels for cooking. Low- and middle-income countries bear 90% of the health impacts from unsafe air pollution exposure, with 83% attributed to noncommunicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, and lung cancer. Around 970 million people lack access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa alone. That figure may reach 1 billion by 2027.
Regional progress remains uneven, with Asia bearing the highest pollution levels but showing the greatest improvement, while Africa, western Asia, and northern Africa have remained essentially unchanged over the last decade. Cities have shown notable reductions regardless of income level, but rural areas in low-income countries have seen levels increase. By 2030, 58% of the global clean cooking access deficit is projected to fall within sub-Saharan Africa.
“As the custodian of environmental health-related SDG indicators, WHO is committed to providing robust, evidence-based data, which is essential for bold decision-making,” said Bruce Gordon, Director a.i., Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, WHO.
He emphasized placing science at the forefront to ensure universal access to clean air and energy.
WHO aims to support a 50% reduction in air pollution-related mortality by 2040, while contributing to the SDG target of universal access to clean cooking by 2030. To support countries, WHO provides tools including AirQ+, the Benefit of Action on Household Air Pollution (BAR-HAP) tool, and the SCORE tool.
