Jakarta’s air quality plummeted to an “unhealthy” level on Wednesday morning, May 13, 2026, ranking the city as the third worst in the world for air pollution.
Data from the monitoring website IQAir indicated that at 5:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), Jakarta recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 158. This measurement included a PM2.5 concentration of 65 micrograms per cubic meter.
Impact on Public Health and Environment
An AQI of 158 is categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups. According to the report, air quality at this level can be harmful to humans and sensitive animals, and may cause damage to plants or diminish aesthetic values.
In response to these conditions, the monitoring website recommends that residents avoid outdoor activities. Those who must go outside are urged to wear masks and keep windows closed to minimize exposure to polluted outdoor air.
Global Pollution Rankings
Jakarta’s ranking follows two other cities with higher pollution scores. Delhi (India) recorded the worst air quality with a score of 160, followed by Lahore (Pakistan) at 159. Following Jakarta in the rankings were Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) with a score of 151 and Beijing (China) with a score of 144.
Understanding the Air Quality Scale
The severity of air pollution is measured across several categories based on PM2.5 ranges:
- Fine (0-50): Air quality that does not impact human or animal health, nor affect plants, buildings, or aesthetic values.
- Moderate (51-100): Air quality that does not affect human or animal health but may impact sensitive plants and aesthetic value.
- Very Unhealthy (200-299): Air quality that could harm the health of specific segments of the exposed population.
- Hazardous (300-500): Air quality that could generally cause serious harm to the health of the population.
Government Response and Strategy
The Jakarta Provincial Government is currently preparing a rapid response to manage air pollution during the dry season, which is predicted to last from early May through August.
Immediate measures planned to combat pollution during this period include:
- Improving the quality of air quality monitoring systems.
- Implementing vehicle emission testing.
the government is evaluating its Air Pollution Control Strategy (SPPU). This evaluation focuses on several key metrics, including PM2.5 trends, emission loads by sector, and the subsequent impact on public health.
The Path Forward
The Jakarta Provincial Government has stated that air pollution control cannot be achieved by one region acting in isolation. Future success may depend on integrated, joint action between regional government agencies and the establishment of cross-regional collaboration around Jakarta.
