The Almaty Air Initiative (AAI) draws attention to the new international report Health Inclusivity Index published by The Economist Impact, the analytical division of The Economist Group.

The report presents alarming data: in Kazakhstan, more than 14,000 premature deaths could be prevented annually if the level of PM2.5 air pollution met the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of less than 5 µg/m³.

The study covered 40 countries and was conducted between 2020 and 2024. When assessing the health impacts of air pollution, experts considered only the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Key findings:

– More than 14,000 people in Kazakhstan die each year from diseases associated with air pollution, including heart disease, lung disease, and cancer;

– Low-income populations suffer disproportionately, as they tend to live and work in the most polluted areas. The mortality rate among people with lower incomes is 64 % higher than among those with higher incomes;

– If air quality met international standards, the country could save up to 511 million USD annually through reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity.

Zhuldyz Saulebekova, Executive Director of the Almaty Air Initiative Foundation:

“The figures presented by The Economist Impact confirm what we have been saying since the very beginning of our work: polluted air is both a threat to life and a measurable economic loss. Our Foundation’s mission is to make vital information accessible — to translate complex scientific data and international reports into clear, understandable language for everyone, from citizens to decision-makers. Awareness is the first step toward conscious and effective action.”

To support this goal, the Almaty Air Initiative recently launched an independent online air-quality monitoring platform — the AAI Dashboard. It allows anyone to track air-quality indicators in real time.

Dashboard link: https://dashboard.air.org.kz/map

Full report by The Economist Impact:

https://impact.economist.com/projects/health-inclusivity-index/inclusivity-topics/health-inclusivity-and-economy#air-pollution

Background:

The Economist Impact is the analytical division of The Economist media group, specializing in applied research on sustainability, economics, and health.

The Health Inclusivity Index is a global benchmark assessing how inclusive and equitable national healthcare systems are across different population groups.

In its 2025 edition, air pollution was highlighted as a major factor driving premature mortality and economic losses worldwide.