The study has found that premature deaths due to air pollution in 2013 cost the global economy about $225 billion in lost labor income, or about $5.11 trillion in welfare losses worldwide. That is about the size of the gross domestic product of India, Canada, and Mexico combined.

India's labour losses due to air pollution stood at about $55.39 billion, or about 0.84% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

China followed close behind with $44.56 billion, or 0.28% of its GDP, lost due to forgone labour output.

India reported the second highest number of deaths due to air pollution in 2013, next only to China.

The study, released on Thursday, says air pollution robs nations of significant potential to grow, which after being calculated through total 'welfare losses' and loss in labour output, reaches a staggering amount especially for developing countries.

The highest concentrations of PM2.5 in 2013 were in North Africa and the Middle East because of emissions of windblown mineral dust, and in South Asia and East Asia and the Pacific, especially in northern India and eastern China, because of combustion emissions from multiple sources, including household solid fuel use, coal-fired power plants, agricultural burning, and industrial and transportation-related sources.

Air pollution is the fourth biggest risk factor for death in the world, after metabolic risks, dietary risks and tobacco smoke.