Indonesia remained Southeast Asia’s most polluted country in 2025 despite a notable year-on-year improvement in air quality. According to IQAir, average PM2.5 concentrations declined to 30 µg/m³, yet this level still exceeds the World Health Organization’s guideline by a significant margin.
The country’s pollution is driven by a combination of coal-fired power generation, urban traffic congestion and seasonal biomass burning, particularly in regions such as Sumatra and Kalimantan. These factors not only impact domestic air quality but also contribute to transboundary haze affecting neighboring countries.
Although regional improvements were partly supported by favorable weather conditions such as La Niña, experts warn that long-term progress will require stronger environmental policies and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Audio Session
Pollution Drops Slightly but Remains High in Indonesia
Class C
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Difficult Words
- concentration – the amount of a substance in a given area
- exceed – to go beyond a limit
- biomass burning – burning natural materials like plants
- transboundary – crossing national borders
- reliance – dependence on something
Additional Info
- Why is Indonesia still considered highly polluted despite improvements?
- What are the key sources of air pollution in the country?
- How does Indonesia’s pollution affect other countries?
- Why might improvements not be sustainable in the long term?
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