Alarming new data from UNICEF reveals that nearly one in seven children worldwide—about 2 billion in total—live in areas where outdoor air pollution exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by at least six times. This analysis, drawn from satellite imagery, underscores a global crisis.
Vehicle emissions, fossil fuel combustion, dust, and waste burning drive these dangerous levels, contributing to roughly 600,000 deaths annually among children under five.
South Asia bears the heaviest burden, with 620 million affected children, followed by Africa (520 million), East Asia and the Pacific (450 million), and North and South America (130 million). Even Europe sees 120 million children exposed to air exceeding international limits. The report also highlights indoor pollution from coal and wood used for cooking and heating.
Released ahead of COP22 in Marrakech, this UNICEF report urges global leaders to prioritize pollution reduction and protect vulnerable young lives.
