2 Million Deaths in India Linked to Air Pollution in 2023: State of Global Air (SoGA) 2025 Report

India recorded a shocking two million deaths due to air pollution-related diseases in 2023, according to the State of Global Air (SoGA) 2025 report jointly published by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), USA. The figure marks a 43 per cent increase from 1.4 million deaths in 2000, underlining a worsening national crisis. The report reveals that nearly nine in ten of these deaths were caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes, and dementia — highlighting air pollution’s silent but deadly grip on India’s health landscape.

Rising Disease Burden and Mortality

The SoGA 2025 report finds India’s air pollution death rate to be over ten times higher than that of high-income nations, standing at 186 deaths per 100,000 people compared to just 17 in wealthier countries. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, and West Bengal recorded over 100,000 deaths each. Approximately 89 per cent of air pollution-related deaths were linked to NCDs, indicating a shift in the country’s disease profile from infectious to chronic conditions.

Air Pollution and Non-Communicable Diseases

The report attributes seven in ten chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) deaths, one in three lung cancer deaths, one in four heart disease deaths, and one in five diabetes deaths in India to air pollution. Overall, two-thirds of COPD deaths are caused by exposure to polluted air. Among adults over 60 years, 95 per cent of air pollution-related deaths globally stem from NCDs, underscoring the grave risk for India’s ageing population. While deaths from household air pollution have declined, fatalities linked to ambient PM2.5 and ozone have risen sharply.

The Emerging Dementia Threat

A striking addition to this year’s SoGA report is the evidence linking air pollution to dementia. In 2023, air pollution contributed to 626,000 dementia deaths globally, alongside 40 million healthy years of life lost. In India alone, more than 54,000 dementia deaths were attributed to pollution, revealing a rising neurological health burden. Scientists warn that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can harm brain tissue and accelerate cognitive decline — an alarming prospect for a country with limited elderly care infrastructure. Women, often the primary caregivers, are disproportionately affected by this dual challenge.

Exam Oriented Facts

• India recorded 2 million air pollution-related deaths in 2023 — a 43% rise since 2000.
• Nearly 89% of such deaths are linked to NCDs like heart and lung disease, cancer, and dementia.
• PM2.5 exposure levels exceed WHO’s limit for 75% of India’s population.
• Air pollution causes seven in ten COPD deaths and one in three lung cancer deaths in India.

Policy Challenges and Integrated Action

Air pollution’s health impact remains concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with South Asia at the epicentre. Despite recognition by the UN and WHO that air pollution is a leading NCD risk factor, progress in reducing its toll has been slow. The SoGA 2025 report urges India to integrate clean air strategies into its national health and development policies, linking environmental reform with healthcare planning.