Is the air quality good in Ulaanbaatar?
On October 2, 2025 at 4 AM PT, air quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is poor with an AQI of 145, classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups".
The city continues to record some of the highest pollution levels in the world, driven by its reliance on coal for heating and industrial activities.
Residents face prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which significantly exceeds international health guidelines. Vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly are particularly at risk, with rising reports of respiratory illnesses (3).
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently. Ulaanbaatar is ranked 2nd most polluted major city in the world on Thursday morning.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Ulaanbaatar.
While the air quality conditions today are poor, it is important to keep in mind that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Ulaanbaatar was 25.7 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 79, which falls into the “moderate” category and was 5.1 times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia ranked as the 2nd most polluted major city on Oct 2, 2025 4 AM PT. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Ulaanbaatar?
Air quality conditions in Ulaanbaatar generally show seasonal fluctuations. Pollution tends to worsen in the colder months, from October through March, as households rely heavily on coal-burning stoves for heating (1).
Some short-term improvements may occur during periods of strong wind and warmer weather, but long-term relief is unlikely without major policy reforms (2).
Hourly air quality forecast for Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Oct 2, 2025. Source: IQAir.
Improvement will depend on:
- Shifting households away from coal-based heating.
- Stricter enforcement of emissions standards for power plants and industries.
- Government investment in clean energy and sustainable urban infrastructure.
Air quality map of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Oct 2, 2025. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Ulaanbaatar?
The poor air quality in Ulaanbaatar is primarily caused by multiple overlapping factors:
- Widespread use of coal and raw fuel in household stoves during the harsh winter months.
- Industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust, both of which contribute heavily to particulate matter.
- Geographical conditions of Ulaanbaatar, where temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground (4).
Children in particular have been found to suffer serious health effects, with long-term exposure leading to higher rates of respiratory illness and reduced lung function.
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.
