Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Report
Air pollution has become the most critical health threat in India in 2025. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reveals that toxic air reduces the average Indian life expectancy by 3.5 years. This loss surpasses impacts from malnutrition, tobacco use, and unsafe water combined. The entire population of 1.4 billion lives in areas exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limits for particulate matter (PM2.5).
Impact of Air Pollution on Life Expectancy
- Air pollution cuts 3.5 years off the average Indian life span. This is more than double the life lost due to childhood and maternal malnutrition, which reduces life expectancy by 1.6 years.
- Tobacco use shortens life by 1.5 years, while unsafe water and poor sanitation cause a loss of just 8.4 months.
- The data marks the extreme health burden posed by polluted air.
Geographical Concentration of Pollution
Northern India remains the world’s most polluted region. Around 544.4 million people, or 38.9% of the population, live under severe pollution levels. Delhi-NCR is the worst affected, where residents lose 8.2 years of life expectancy due to air quality. Other highly impacted states include Bihar (5.6 years lost), Haryana (5.3 years), and Uttar Pradesh (5 years). Even under India’s national PM2.5 standard, which is less strict than WHO’s, Delhi-NCR residents lose nearly 5 years of life.
National and International Standards
Shockingly, 46% of Indians live in areas exceeding India’s own air quality standards. Reducing pollution to meet national benchmarks could add 1.5 years to life expectancy on average. Stricter adherence to WHO’s guideline of 5 µg/m³ PM2.5 could increase life expectancy by up to 9.4 months, even in cleaner regions. These figures show the urgent need for stronger pollution control measures.
South Asia’s Pollution Crisis
South Asia is the most polluted region globally. PM2.5 levels rose by 2.8% in 2023 after a brief decline in 2022. Across the region, air pollution reduces average life expectancy by about 3 years. In the worst-affected zones, the loss exceeds 8 years. This regional crisis demands coordinated action to reduce emissions and improve public health.
Call for Policy and Public Action
The AQLI report warns that without bold interventions, millions will continue to lose healthy life years due to toxic air. Effective policies must target emission sources, enhance monitoring, and promote cleaner technologies. Public awareness and participation are crucial to drive change. The health and economic benefits of cleaner air are immense.
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