In recent days, social media, independent media, and foreign media outlets have actively discussed the ranking of the Republic of Tajikistan in terms of atmospheric air pollution.
According to data from the Swiss research institute IQAir, which conducts daily global air quality monitoring, in 2025 the Republic of Tajikistan ranked 3rd in the world for atmospheric air pollution with an indicator of 57.3 µg/m³.
The Hydrometeorology Agency under the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan considers it necessary to state that such international assessments should be interpreted in a balanced, scientifically grounded, and professional manner. This ranking is based on the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter PM2.5 and does not fully reflect all factors affecting air quality throughout the country.
It should be noted that in such rankings, a country’s indicators are often derived from a limited number of measurement points, especially those installed in areas affected by urban emissions and dust transport. This means that drawing nationwide conclusions solely from a relatively small number of air-quality stations is methodologically incomplete.
It is important to understand that a country’s position in international rankings depends not only on its actual environmental conditions, but also on the completeness, density, and coverage of its air quality monitoring network. When monitoring points are limited, the final indicator may depend heavily on individual stations or urban locations and may not fully represent the entire territory of the state.
Within its authority, the Hydrometeorology Agency under the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan carries out atmospheric air quality monitoring. Since November 2016, an automatic air quality monitoring station has been operating in cooperation with the Finnish Meteorological Institute. This station provides round-the-clock monitoring of the atmosphere in Dushanbe, measuring major pollutant gases (carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur oxides), suspended particles (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, PM₁), and meteorological parameters (wind direction and speed, temperature, humidity, and pressure).
It should also be noted that the ranking source is unofficial and does not fully correspond to the Agency’s official data. In particular, the report states that in 2025 the PM2.5 concentration in Dushanbe reached 57.3 µg/m³, which is 11.5 times higher than the standard recommended by the World Health Organization (5 µg/m³).
At present, the Agency processes data according to standards adopted by the Commonwealth of Independent States, which are officially applied in the country. According to these standards, the acceptable daily and monthly average PM2.5 concentration is 35 µg/m³, meaning the measured level exceeds the norm by only 1.17 times.
It should be emphasized that assessing the entire republic based only on a small number of air-quality stations located solely in Dushanbe does not accurately reflect reality. A full assessment of air quality requires modern standards, geographic conditions, and broader monitoring coverage.
Thus, the Agency’s position is as follows: the IQAir ranking should not be ignored, but neither should it be accepted as a completely comprehensive assessment of air quality across the entire Republic of Tajikistan. The ranking does indicate serious PM2.5 pollution concerns, but accurate conclusions require expanded monitoring, comparison of international and national data, and analysis of pollution sources. Only such an approach can be objective, professional, and aligned with national interests.
International rankings should therefore be used as analytical guidance and compared with national monitoring data, meteorological conditions, and pollution sources. Only detailed analysis can fully reflect the real air situation in the republic.
The Hydrometeorology Agency under the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan continues regular atmospheric observations, pollution factor analysis, and improvement of the monitoring system in order to ensure a complete and reliable assessment of air quality across the country.
