Zagreb ranked 11th worst air quality among Europe’s capitals – what’s causing it?

by croatiaweek
April 7, 2025
in News

Zagreb

Zagreb has been named among the European capitals with the worst air quality in 2024, according to a new report highlighted by Večernji list.

The Croatian capital ranks 11th based on the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measured in micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).

Zagreb’s average PM2.5 level stood at 14.1 µg/m³ last year.

At the top of the list is Sarajevo, followed by Skopje, Belgrade, Podgorica, and Bucharest. Other cities making up the top ten include Ljubljana, Nicosia, Chișinău, Tirana and Priština.

So what’s behind Zagreb’s poor air quality?

Experts point to a mix of human activity, seasonal patterns, and the city’s geography.

One of the biggest contributors is heating during the colder months. Many homes still rely on wood, coal, or oil for warmth, especially in winter.

Burning these fuels releases harmful PM2.5 particles—tiny enough to enter the lungs and cause health problems.

Vehicle traffic is another major source of pollution. Buses, trucks, and daily commuting add to the mix of exhaust fumes and particulates. The heavy traffic, especially in the city centre, means pollutants often get trapped in the urban area.

Zagreb’s location doesn’t help either. The city lies in a basin, surrounded by hills and the Medvednica mountain. This geographical setup makes it easier for pollution to stay put, especially during winter temperature inversions, when warm air above traps colder, polluted air near the ground.

Fog, common during the colder months, adds to the problem by keeping pollutants closer to the surface.

Compared to cities in Western Europe, Zagreb still uses more traditional heating methods and has looser vehicle emissions standards, which contributes to worse air quality—especially during winter.