New Delhi: In a stark reflection of the growing air quality emergency in the National Capital Region, a new survey by Smytten PulseAI has revealed that nearly 80% of Delhi-NCR residents are considering relocating or have already moved out due to hazardous pollution levels. The findings point to a region grappling with a public health emergency, with residents increasingly unwilling to tolerate the deteriorating air they breathe.
A Public Health Disaster Unfolding
The survey, which covered 4,000 respondents across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, paints a grim picture of widespread health deterioration:
- 82.4% report long-term respiratory issues such as chronic cough, throat irritation, and fatigue.
- 68.3% have sought medical treatment specifically for pollution-induced ailments.
- 76.4% have significantly cut down outdoor activities, confining themselves indoors during peak smog periods.
- 71.2% report psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, and fatigue due to prolonged exposure to toxic air.
Doctors in the region have been warning about the increasing burden on healthcare systems, with respiratory OPDs witnessing a spike during smog months.
The Great Delhi-NCR Exodus: Residents Losing Hope
The most alarming finding is the mass relocation trend, indicating a crisis of confidence in the region’s future:
- 79.8% of respondents are planning to move or have already relocated.
- 33.6% are seriously planning their departure.
- 31% are actively considering it.
- 15.2% have already moved out in search of cleaner air.
- 32.5% are planning permanent relocation, not temporary seasonal escapes.
Health concerns (50%) top the list of reasons for moving out, followed by mental well-being (29%) and children’s health and safety (19%).
Residents most often look to hill towns, smaller cities, and low-industrial zones as potential destinations.
A Rising ‘Pollution Tax’ on Households
The economic cost of living in Delhi-NCR has soared, with families paying a high price for clean-air survival:
- 85.3% say their household expenses have risen due to pollution.
- 93% have increased their spending on wellness and health products such as N95 masks, air purifiers, and supplements.
- 60% of households now own an air purifier; around 29% own two or more.
- 37% spent between ₹10,000–20,000 on purifiers alone, while 19% spent over ₹20,000.
A significant 38% of surveyed households earn below ₹50,000 per month, making these expenses financially draining.
According to Swagat Sarangi, Co-Founder of Smytten PulseAI, “Families are making impossible choices—whether to buy another air purifier or save for their child’s education, whether to stock up on masks or groceries. This ‘pollution tax’ hits the middle class hardest and erodes overall quality of life.”
Life on Alert: Residents Living by the AQI
The survey shows residents have fundamentally changed their lifestyles to cope with worsening air:
- 47% check the AQI daily before stepping out.
- 70% plan weekend getaways specifically to escape pollution.
- 86% have made major lifestyle or dietary changes to improve immunity.
- 57% are spending more time on indoor entertainment and home-based activities.
Many have incorporated vitamin C, herbal teas, supplements, and indoor workouts into their routines.
The region’s middle class is effectively living under a constant air quality alert.
A Serious Warning for Policymakers
The widespread desire to leave Delhi-NCR, combined with severe health and economic impacts, presents a critical policy challenge. A city where 8 out of 10 residents are rethinking their future faces risks of demographic shifts, economic instability, and long-term decline.
Sarangi added, “Prolonged poor air quality is reshaping everyday life—impacting health, spending, and long-term decisions. It is no longer just an environmental issue but a lifestyle and economic crisis requiring urgent, coordinated action.”
About the Survey
Conducted in November 2025, the survey by Smytten PulseAI collected responses from 4,000 individuals aged 18–45+ across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. The study examined the impact of pollution on health, finances, lifestyle, and relocation decisions during peak smog season.
About Smytten PulseAI
SmyttenPulse AI is an advanced AI-driven consumer insights and market intelligence platform. Powered by machine learning and behavioural analytics, the platform helps brands decode real-time consumer sentiment, test concepts, track brand equity, and shape growth strategies. Headquartered in New Delhi, Smytten PulseAI serves brands across FMCG, auto, tech, retail, and consumer sectors.
Read also: Constitution Day 2025: PM Modi Urges Civic Responsibility, Voting, and Duties to Build Viksit Bharat
