Is the air quality good in Jakarta?
As of May 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM (local time, GMT+7), air quality in Jakarta, Indonesia, is poor, with AQI readings exceeding 130, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant.
While air quality today is poor, broader annual trends underscore the severity of the pollution problem. PM2.5 levels across the greater Jakarta metropolitan area averaged 34.1 µg/m³ in 2025, corresponding to an AQI of 97, near the upper end of the moderate range and approaching “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while remaining nearly six times the WHO annual guideline.
According to World Air Quality Report, Indonesia remained Southeast Asia’s most polluted country and the world’s 17th most polluted country in 2025, with a national annual average PM2.5 concentration of 30 µg/m³, approximately six times higher than the WHO annual guideline.
For a complete, real-time view of current pollution levels, see Jakarta’s air quality map.
Jakarta, Indonesia, ranked among the most polluted major cities, globally, as of May 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Jakarta, Indonesia, as of May 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
When will the air quality improve in Jakarta?
Analysis of air quality monitoring data from 2019 to 2023 confirms that the monthly average concentration of PM2.5 in Jakarta follows a clear seasonal pattern, with peak pollution occurring in June, July, and August during the dry season, followed by a decline from September through April during the wet season.
While May marks a transitional period, conditions can deteriorate rapidly as the dry season begins and peatland fires increase. Lasting improvement depends on faster decarbonization of the power sector, stricter vehicle emission standards, and regional coordination to reduce transboundary fire smoke (1).
Hourly air quality forecast for Jakarta, Indonesia, as of May 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Jakarta?
Coal-fired power plants located outside the Jakarta metropolitan area are a significant contributor to the city's pollution, with research showing coal power contributes between 5 and 31% of Jakarta's total PM2.5 on any given day, as plumes from upwind plants reach the city during the dry season (2).
From 2010 to 2020, Indonesia more than doubled its coal-fired electricity generation, and forest and peatland fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, burning during the dry season from April through October, account for an estimated 31% of Jakarta's PM2.5 pollution as smoke is carried by prevailing winds toward the capital (3).
Low wind speeds and a thinning planetary boundary layer during the dry season further trap PM2.5, black carbon, and ground-level ozone near the surface, with rush-hour traffic compounding exposure for commuters and residents near major roads.
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.
