State of UK Air Quality2026 Annual Report
Comprehensive analysis of air pollution across UK cities, health impacts, regulatory progress, and what it means for your family's health.
Key Findings
UK City Air Quality Rankings 2026
Rankings based on annual average PM2.5 concentrations. WHO guideline is 5 µg/m³.
| Rank | City | PM2.5 (µg/m³) | vs WHO Limit | Year-on-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh | 6.2 | +24% | ↓8% |
| 2 | Bristol | 7.1 | +42% | ↓5% |
| 3 | Cardiff | 7.4 | +48% | −0% |
| 4 | Glasgow | 7.8 | +56% | ↓12% |
| 5 | Leeds | 8.2 | +64% | ↓3% |
| 6 | Sheffield | 8.5 | +70% | ↓1% |
| 7 | Manchester | 9.1 | +82% | ↓6% |
| 8 | Newcastle | 9.3 | +86% | ↓4% |
| 9 | Liverpool | 9.8 | +96% | ↓7% |
| 10 | Birmingham | 10.2 | +104% | ↓5% |
| 11 | Nottingham | 10.4 | +108% | −0% |
| 12 | London | 11.8 | +136% | ↓9% |
* Data compiled from DEFRA UK-AIR monitoring network, 2025-2026.
Major Trends in 2026
✓ Positive Trends
- • Clean Air Zones reducing urban pollution in 16+ cities
- • Electric vehicle adoption accelerating (23% of new sales)
- • Industrial emissions down 15% since 2020
- • Air quality monitoring network expanded to 300+ sites
- • Public awareness at all-time high
✗ Ongoing Challenges
- • Wood burning now largest PM2.5 source (38%)
- • 94% still breathe air exceeding WHO guidelines
- • Rural areas often have worse air than expected
- • Indoor air quality largely unaddressed
- • Environmental inequality persists in deprived areas
Health Impact Analysis
Deaths Attributable to Air Pollution
An estimated 29,000-36,000 deaths per year in the UK are attributable to long-term air pollution exposure. This makes air pollution the largest environmental risk to public health.
Air pollution contributes to heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, COPD, and respiratory infections. Children and elderly are most vulnerable.
Economic Cost
The annual health cost of air pollution to the UK is estimated at £20 billion, including NHS treatment, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life.
Meeting WHO guidelines could prevent 17,000 deaths annually and save the NHS billions in treatment costs.
Protect Your Family
While outdoor air quality improves slowly, you can control your indoor environment today. HEPA air purifiers reduce indoor PM2.5 by 50-80%, protecting you and your family.
Explore City Data
Methodology
This report compiles data from DEFRA UK-AIR monitoring network, PHE health statistics, academic research, and regional air quality management areas. PM2.5 figures are annual averages for 2025-2026. Health impact estimates use Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) methodology. Rankings exclude cities with fewer than 3 monitoring stations for data reliability.