UNICEF – State of Global Air, 2024

Children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution, with effects starting in the womb and lasting a lifetime. The State of Global Air 2024 report reveals that air pollution was the second leading risk factor for death among children under 5 in 2021, resulting in over 700,000 deaths globally. This represents 15% of all deaths in this age group, with almost 2000 children dying daily due to air pollution-related health impacts. Air pollution was also linked to 34% of preterm births worldwide in 2021, leading to complications that are the main cause of death in children under 5. The report emphasizes the interconnection between air pollution and climate change, highlighting the sources of PM2.5 pollution from burning fossil fuels and biomass. Additionally, it provides information on exposure to common pollutants such as fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. Produced by the State of Global Air Initiative in collaboration with UNICEF, the report is based on data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study and estimates the impact of various environmental, behavioral, and dietary risk factors on health globally.