Two SA cities among Africa’s most polluted
Entering 2024, two of South Africa’s cities have made it onto the list of the African continent’s most polluted urban areas.
South Africa lays claim to two of the African continent’s most polluted cities for 2024.
A recent report by Numbeo indicates the continent’s most polluted cities.
The survey, a platform that provides information using various criteria such as living costs, quality of life, and socio-economic factors, has also revealed pollution levels in African cities, for 2024.
This data does not bode well for the two SA cities, which are already seeing an exodus due to semigration.
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POLLUTED CITIES
While cities primarily located in North Africa appear to dominate the top of the list, two SA cities have taken spots in the top 10.
The cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg are considered among Africa’s most polluted.
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| Position | City, Country | Pollution Index | Exp Pollution Index |
| 1 | Cairo | 90.9 | 164.0 |
| 2 | Lagos | 89.0 | 159.0 |
| 3 | Marrakesh | 83.5 | 149.3 |
| 4 | Casablanca | 82.2 | 146.6 |
| 5 | Nairobi | 79.8 | 142.3 |
| 6 | Addis Ababa | 76.1 | 133.6 |
| 7 | Alexandria | 74.3 | 130.6 |
| 8 | Tunis | 72.5 | 127.0 |
| 9 | Johannesburg | 61.1 | 106.3 |
| 10 | Pretoria | 55.1 | 94.8 |
Source : Numbeo
NUMBEO DATA
The index considers factors such as air and water pollution, garbage disposal, cleanliness, noise and light pollution, green spaces, and comfort in relation to pollution.
The Pollution Index and Pollution Exp Scale offer insights into cities’ overall pollution levels.
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REASONS FOR POLLUTION
Since Africa’s population is growing fast, so too does the amount of pollution.
Among the problems are poor waste management practices.
Furthermore, infrastructure failure is leading to health and safety hazards in many cities across SA.
AFRICA’S URBAN GROWTH
Growing urban areas also lead to negative impacts on the environment. This pollution negatively impacts both the environment and human health.
According to Business Insider, people’s health suffers from increasingly poor environmental conditions.
Respiratory diseases, waterborne illnesses, and other health issues often plague societies with elevated pollution.
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