Indonesia: Southeast Asia's Worst Air Quality

According to a recent IQAir report, Indonesia had the worst air quality among Southeast Asian countries. In 2021, the PM2.5 concentration in Indonesia was recorded at 34.3 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).

Although Indonesia had the highest PM2.5 concentration in Southeast Asia, its air quality in 2021 was still better than the previous year, with a 16% decrease in PM2.5 levels. In 2020, the PM2.5 concentration in Indonesia reached 40.7 µg/m³.

Myanmar ranked second with a PM2.5 concentration of 25.9 µg/m³, followed by Vietnam at 24.7 µg/m³.

Next was Laos with a PM2.5 concentration of 21.5 µg/m³, followed by Thailand at 20.2 µg/m³, and Cambodia at 19.8 µg/m³.

The IQAir report shows that PM2.5 levels in Southeast Asia in 2021 decreased by 5% compared to 2020. This decrease was driven by six countries that recorded a reduction in PM2.5 concentration, with the highest decrease occurring in Indonesia.

The three countries with the lowest PM2.5 concentrations were Malaysia at 19.4 µg/m³, the Philippines at 15.6 µg/m³, and Singapore at 13.8 µg/m³. These three countries, however, recorded significant increases in PM2.5 concentration, namely 4%, 22%, and 17%, respectively, compared to 2020.

IQAir notes that rapid population growth and economic development contribute to poor air quality in Southeast Asia. Fossil fuel combustion is the largest contributor to PM2.5 in the region.

Other sources of PM2.5 come from urban areas, including construction, industrial emissions, and transportation. Meanwhile, rural PM2.5 emission sources include open burning practices used for agricultural land management and forest clearing/management.