On December 5, 2024, Almaty was officially included in the World’s Most Polluted Major Cities live ranking compiled by the international Swiss company IQAir. On its very first day in the ranking, Almaty entered the top 10, reaching 5th place at 5:00 p.m. alongside cities such as Karachi, Baghdad, Shanghai, Tashkent, Mumbai, and Bishkek.At the time Almaty ranked fifth, the city’s average AQI (Air Quality Index) was 169, which is classified as “unhealthy.”

Almaty residents can now compare their city’s air quality with that of other major cities around the world in real time.

World’s Major Cities Ranking

The ranking includes around 120 of the world’s best-known major cities. Cities are ranked according to the Air Quality Index (AQI), calculated using data collected from thousands of monitoring stations and sensors. These stations are operated by government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, companies, and individual contributors. The ranking is updated hourly, making it possible to track changes in air quality in real time.

Its purpose is to provide a simple and accessible overview of air quality conditions in major urban centers around the world. It also highlights the impact of factors such as wildfires, biomass burning, industrial activity, dust storms, and weather conditions on air quality.

The ranking is available on the IQAir website and through the AirVisual mobile app.

About IQAir

IQAir is a Swiss technology company that provides individuals, organizations, and governments with air quality data and tools to help improve air quality through information and collaboration.