Ambient fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) is a major environmental health risk, contributing to substantial mortality and morbidity worldwide. Rapidly urbanizing cities in India, such as Gurugram, experience persistent high PM₂.₅ levels, yet limited research has quantified its impact on population longevity and healthy aging at the subnational level. This study provides the first city-level assessment of life expectancy (LE) and healthy life expectancy (HALE) in relation to ambient PM₂.₅ exposure in Gurugram, integrating age- and sex-specific analyses using standard life table and Sullivan methods. Daily PM₂.₅ concentrations (2020–2022) were combined with population and health data to estimate LE, HALE, and the LE-HALE gap across age cohorts. Results revealed a progressive decline in both LE and HALE with age, with LE at birth approximately 84 years and HALE 82 years for males, and 81 years for females. The LE-HALE gap widened with age, reaching 6–7 years in older adults, indicating a growing burden of disability. Notably, females lived longer but experienced higher morbidity, consistent with the “morbidity–mortality paradox.” These findings highlight the compounded health risks of aging and air pollution and underscore the critical importance of air quality management, chronic disease prevention, and gender-sensitive health interventions. The study adds value by providing localized, actionable evidence linking environmental exposures to both longevity and quality of life, supporting sustainable urban health policies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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