PM 2.5 not only killed 1.7 million people in India during 2022, but also caused financial losses to the tune of 9.5% of country’s GDP: Lancet

Published on : 29 Oct 2025, 12:30 am

Air pollution is not only the biggest killer in India but also significantly impacts its economy, a new global report has confirmed.

The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, an international and multidisciplinary collaboration dedicated to monitoring the evolving health profile of climate change, released the report at 5.30 am on October 29, 2025.

More than 1.7 million people died in India during 2022 from exposure to PM 2.5, the ultra-fine particulate pollutant, according to The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change that works in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The figure shows a sharp increase compared to the values registered twelve years back.

The Union environment, forest and climate change mi