Is the air quality good in Ulaanbaatar?
On November 10, 2026, at 9:15 PM (local time), air quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is poor with an AQI of 175, which falls within the "unhealthy" range.
These conditions pose health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear a mask when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Ulaanbaatar is ranked the 3rd most polluted major city in the world on Tuesday night.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Ulaanbaatar.
While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 for Ulaanbaatar was 17.9 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 63, which falls into the “moderate” category and was 3.5 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ranked as the 3rd most polluted major city on November 10, 2026, at 9:15 PM (local time). Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Ulaanbaatar?
Air quality is forecast to improve to the moderate range by tomorrow.
Hourly air quality forecast for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.
However, seasonal pollution remains a concern. Research using observations from 2022 to 2024 documented higher PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide concentrations during winter, when heating demand increases (1).
Air quality map of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on November 10, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Ulaanbaatar?
Coal burned for heating in households, particularly in the city's ger districts, is a major contributor to air pollution. Cold weather increases heating demand, while the city's location in a valley can make it harder for emissions to disperse (2).
Vehicle emissions and other sources also contribute to pollution. A study of monitoring data found that fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide levels generally increased during winter (3).
Heating practices can also affect air inside homes. A study of traditional gers found that indoor air quality was affected by heating-related pollution (4).
Several factors combine to raise pollution levels during the cold months:
- Household coal stoves: Ger districts are not connected to central heating, so homes burn coal briquettes at ground level, where smoke does not disperse well.
- Geography: The city sits in a valley surrounded by mountains, which traps emissions near the ground.
- Power and heating plants: Coal-fired combined heat and power plants supply the city's electricity and district heating.
- Vehicles: A growing number of vehicles, many of them more than 10 years old, add nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
A 2019 ban on raw coal and a switch to coal briquettes reduced particle pollution, but levels still exceed World Health Organization guidelines (5).
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.
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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.
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Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
