City in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia
Air quality in Mecca
Severely polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Mecca was 38.4 µg/m³ in 2022, about 7.7 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Dust and heat haze are common; Hajj-season traffic adds fumes around the Haram.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 38.4 µg/m³ yearly average (2022). Measured at Makkah Region, 6 km away.
- PM10: 121.3 µg/m³ (2022).
- Worst months: May–Jul.
Air quality across Saudi Arabia
Quick answers
Is the air in Mecca bad?
Severely polluted: 38.4 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 7.7× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in May–Jul.
When is the air worst in Mecca?
Dust and heat haze are common; Hajj-season traffic adds fumes around the Haram.
How does Mecca compare with the rest of Saudi Arabia?
People in Saudi Arabia breathe 74 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 38.4 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Mecca
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Nusuk (Umrah and Hajj)
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Saudi eVisa
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.