Fourteen Greek cities rank among the 30% worst-performing cities in Europe for the estimated mortality risk linked to air pollution, according to European Environment Agency (EEA) data – Ioannina and Athens record the poorest results
How clean is the air we breathe every day? Data from the EEA paint a worrying picture for several Greek cities, many of which rank near the bottom of the European table for air quality and the associated risks to public health.
According to figures covering 2024–2025, 14 Greek cities fall within the worst-performing 30% of 761 European cities in terms of estimated mortality risk associated with air pollution.
The assessment takes into account population exposure to three major air pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and ozone (O₃).
Ioannina and Athens have the most polluted air
Ioannina records the worst performance among Greek cities, ranking 754th out of 761 European cities, placing it near the very bottom of the overall table.
Athens follows in 745th place, while Thessaloniki ranks 729th and Larissa 726th. Trikala is also among the worst-performing cities, in 697th place, alongside Volos, which ranks 654th.
Overall, six Greek cities are among the 10% of European cities with the poorest results, while ten fall within the bottom 20%.
Even Chania, which achieves the best performance among the 14 Greek cities included in the assessment, ranks just 540th out of 761.
The 14 Greek cities in the ranking
The Greek cities included in the EEA assessment are:
- Ioannina
- Athens
- Thessaloniki
- Larissa
- Volos
- Trikala
- Serres
- Heraklion
- Patras
- Xanthi
- Kavala
- Katerini
- Kalamata
- Chania
The findings underline that air pollution is not confined to Greece’s two largest urban centres. Smaller cities across the country are also experiencing significant environmental and public health pressures.
How air pollution affects our health
Exposure to air pollutants is associated with serious health consequences, particularly over prolonged periods.
Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, consists of particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Long-term exposure has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Nitrogen dioxide, largely produced by combustion processes and road traffic, can irritate the respiratory system and aggravate existing conditions such as asthma.
Ground-level ozone forms when other atmospheric pollutants react in the presence of sunlight. At elevated concentrations, it can cause respiratory irritation and impair lung function.
Children, older people and individuals with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of polluted air.
Why Greek cities struggle with air pollution
The sources of air pollution vary considerably between regions.
In major urban centres, road traffic and other activities associated with city life are important contributors to pollutant emissions.
Elsewhere, domestic heating, particularly the burning of wood, can significantly increase concentrations of fine particulate matter, especially during the colder months.
Industrial activity, local weather conditions and the movement of pollutants from neighbouring areas also contribute to deteriorating air quality.
The EEA findings serve as a reminder that air pollution is not simply an environmental concern but a major public health issue.
Systematic monitoring of pollutants, alongside measures to reduce emissions, remains essential to limiting population exposure and protecting public health.
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), European city air quality viewer, 2024–2025.
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