Residents of New Delhi, the capital of India, face a troubling trend: air pollution is shortening average lifespans by about a decade. A comprehensive assessment from researchers at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reveals that air quality in South Asia is worsening. The study, produced by a leading scientific institution, emphasizes the far reaching health consequences of polluted air across the region.
South Asia includes some of the world’s most polluted nations, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The findings indicate that long term exposure to polluted air trims life expectancy in these countries by more than five years. The results underscore pollution as a major public health threat that demands urgent action from governments, communities, and international partners alike.
The report highlights a notable rise in pollution levels over the past two decades, attributing roughly a 50 percent increase to rapid industrial growth and expanding populations. This trajectory underscores how economic development and energy choices intersect with health outcomes, and it calls for policies that balance growth with cleaner air and stronger protections for vulnerable populations.
Beyond Asia, the study notes that air pollution also poses serious health risks in Africa. It points to several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Republic of Congo, as being among those most affected. In these places, the burden of polluted air is linked to premature deaths comparable to major infectious disease impacts such as HIV and malaria. The broad pattern illustrates that air quality is a global equity issue, with the heaviest consequences often borne by communities with fewer resources to address it.
The researchers estimate that lowering the global average level of fine particulate pollution to the World Health Organization guidelines could extend life expectancy for people around the world by about 2.3 years. On a grand scale, this improvement translates into roughly 17.8 billion additional life-years for humanity. The implications stretch beyond individual health, touching economic productivity, educational attainment, and social well-being. Cleaner air has tangible benefits that ripple through households, workplaces, and public services.
The report also revisits the historical link between air quality and microbial resistance. It notes that long standing exposure to polluted environments can influence the spread and persistence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This connection adds another layer to the argument for reducing air pollution, reinforcing the idea that clean air contributes to overall ecosystem health and resilience.