Author: IQAir Staff Writers
IQAir’s 2023 World Air Quality Report, shows the major world cities with the cleanest air quality.
IQAir is a Swiss technology company that empowers individuals, organizations and governments to improve air quality through information and collaboration.
5 cities, were chosen due to prioritizing the public’s health through anti-polluting policies.
The cities also demonstrate exceptional commitment to clean air, with an annual average PM2.5 levels, meeting or nearly meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) stringent guideline of 5 µg/m3 or less. PM2.5, the most dangerous particle pollutant, is a key indicator of air quality due to its severe health impacts.
5: Stockholm, Sweden
In 2023, Stockholm, Sweden enjoyed an annual average air quality of 5.4 µg/m3, just slightly above the WHO recommended guideline. While there is room for improvement, Stockholm benefits from the city’s commitment to promoting public transportation and implementing green urban planning initiatives.
Sweden was the 11th cleanest country in the world in 2023, coming just behind regional neighbors Finland and Estonia with an annual average air quality of 5.1 µg/m3—again, very near the WHO guideline. Sweden emphasizes the use of renewable energy sources, the country has a stated goal of accomplishing 100 percent renewable energy by 2045 and maintains stringent environmental regulations, helping to reduce air pollution (2).
4: Sydney, Australia
In 2023, Sydney, Australia, with a population of 5.3 million, met the WHO’s PM2.5 guideline with an annual average of 5 µg/m3. This was achieved through stringent air quality standards and proactive pollution control measures, despite occasional challenges from bushfire smoke.
Australia requires outdoor air quality standards to meet an annual average of 8 µg/m3, a standard the country more than met in 2023 with an annual average of 4.5 µg/m3 (4).
3. Helsinki, Finland
Like its Scandinavian neighbor Sweden, Finland enjoyed good air quality in 2023. The capital city, Helsinki, was just below the WHO guidelines with an annual average air quality of 4.9 µg/m3. The credit can be given to the city’s robust efforts to preserve green spaces and reduce traffic emissions (6)(7)(8).
Finland was one of the few countries and territories in the world to average below the WHO guideline in 2023, again with annual average air quality of 4.9 µg/m3. That made the country the 10th cleanest country or territory in the world. Finland has a low population density, extensive forests, and strong environmental protections.
2. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia experienced an annual average air quality of 4.4 µg/m3 in 2023.
Melbourne can be affected by bushfire smoke, industrial and mining activity, and transportation pollution. Nearby Victoria had a lower-than-average number of bushfires, thanks in part to a wet La Niña climate pattern (9). This further helped maintain the Melbourne’s good air quality in 2023.
1. Auckland, New Zealand
Aukland, New Zealand had the best air quality in 2023 among well-known major cities, with an annual average air quality of 3.4 µg/m3. Coastal winds, strict vehicle emission standards, and policies promoting public transportation all helped keep air quality clean.
The country was among the cleanest in the world in 2023, just above Australia (whose 2023 an annual average was 4.3 µg/m3) (10).
New Zealand was the 6th least polluted country or territory in the world.
The country benefits by its islands’ geography, with ocean breezes that carry local pollutants out to sea and no nearby neighbors to send transboundary pollutants nearby. The country receives a good deal of rainfall as well, which helps disperse pollutants.
New Zealand has improved on its air quality over the years, dropping from an annual average air quality 7.7 µg/m3 in 2018 and consistently decreasing the average each year.
Picture: Supplied