Is the air quality good in Yangon?
As of February 23, 2026, at 2:00 AM PT, air quality in Yangon, Myanmar is in the unhealthy range with an AQI of 167.
At this level, breathing difficulties and heightened health risks may occur for everyone, especially children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung conditions.
To reduce exposure, it’s best to avoid outdoor activity, wear a mask when going outside, and remain indoors with properly filtered air.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Yangon ranked 4th among the most polluted major cities in the world on Monday morning.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Yangon.
While the air quality today is poor, it should be noted that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Yangon was 25.2 µg/m³, corresponding to an AQI of 78 (“moderate”), and was 5 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Yangon, Myanmar, ranked as the 4th most polluted major city globally, as of February 23, 2026, at 2:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Yangon?
Short-term improvements are typically influenced by changes in weather. During colder periods with weak air circulation, pollutants tend to remain close to the ground, worsening conditions. However, forecasts suggest that air quality may shift toward the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range when temperatures rise and wind conditions improve.
Hourly air quality forecast for Yangon, Myanmar, as of February 23, 2026, at 2:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
Over the past 30 days, Yangon’s air quality has generally remained in the moderate range, but today it spiked into the unhealthy range.
Daily air quality trends for Yangon, Myanmar over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir.
Air quality map of Yangon, Myanmar, as of February 23, 2026, at 2:00 AM (PT). Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Yangon?
Yangon’s air quality is heavily affected by particulate matter, especially PM10 and PM2.5. Several major sources contribute to rising pollution levels across the city:
- Daily traffic congestion on major roads (1).
- Dust from construction activity and unpaved surfaces (2).
- Open burning of waste, dried leaves, and other materials (3).
- Industrial emissions from factory zones (4).
- Cold-season temperature inversions that trap pollutants near the ground (5).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
