Jakarta ranks as third worst city globally for air quality

Jakarta has been ranked among the cities with the worst air quality globally. On Sunday morning, September 13, 2026, data from IQAir indicated that Jakarta held the third position for the poorest air quality in the world.

The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 158, placing it in the unhealthy category. This condition is primarily driven by high concentrations of PM2.5 fine particulate matter, recorded at 65.3 micrograms per cubic meter. Such levels pose health risks, particularly to sensitive groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory vulnerabilities.

In the global rankings for that period, Kinshasa, Congo, held the first position with an AQI of 215, followed by Kampala, Uganda, at 162. Other cities in the top five included Kuching, Malaysia, and Baghdad, Iraq. Authorities recommend that residents avoid outdoor activities or use masks when necessary to mitigate exposure to the pollutants.