Is the air quality good in Dhaka?
As of January 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM PT, Dhaka, Bangladesh, is experiencing extremely poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 250. Air conditions fall within the very unhealthy to hazardous range, driven primarily by elevated PM2.5 concentrations.
These pollution levels far exceed World Health Organization air quality guidelines and reflect Dhaka’s persistent winter smog pattern.
For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Dhaka's air quality map.
While air quality today is exceptionally poor, long-term data highlight the scale of the challenge. In 2024, Dhaka’s average PM2.5 concentration was 78 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 162, classified as unhealthy, and measuring 15.6 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
That year, Dhaka ranked as the 26th most polluted city globally, while Bangladesh was identified as the second most polluted country in the world, underscoring the country’s ongoing air quality crisis.
Dhaka, Bangladesh, ranked as the most polluted major city as of January 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM (PT). Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Dhaka?
Short-term improvements largely depend on weather changes. Stronger winds or rainfall can temporarily disperse pollutants. However, during winter, temperature inversions, low wind speeds, and dry conditions frequently trap emissions close to the ground. As a result, air quality is expected to remain elevated and fluctuate until seasonal weather shifts arrive toward late winter or early spring.
Hourly air quality forecast for Dhaka, Bangladesh, as of January 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Daily air quality trends in Dhaka, Bangladesh, over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Dhaka, Bangladesh, as of January 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM (PT). Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Dhaka?
Dhaka’s severe winter air pollution is driven by a combination of local and regional factors. Hundreds of brick kilns operating around the city are a major source of PM2.5 emissions, particularly during the dry season (1).
Vehicular exhaust from dense traffic, construction dust, and industrial emissions further degrade air quality.
In winter, cooler temperatures and stagnant atmospheric conditions prevent pollutants from dispersing. Regional transport of pollution from neighboring areas also contributes to sustained smog episodes, compounding local emission sources.
How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
