Objective To analyze the effect of major air pollutants on population health in Liuzhou. Methods Based on the monitoring data of ambient air quality in Liuzhou in 2023, the characteristics of air pollutants were analyzed, and the health risks of air pollutants were evaluated by using the environmental exposure risk assessment model. Results The average annual concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM10 and PM2.5 in Liuzhou were lower than the secondary national standard. The composite air quality index exhibited a W⁃shaped trend of low in summer, high in winter, and rebounded in spring. The ratio of days with good air quality was the lowest in January⁃March and December, and the ratio of days with good air quality was the highest in April⁃November. The health risks of SO2, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 did not exceed the recommended value of the United State Environmental Protection Agency. The health risk of adults aged 18-59 years was higher than that of other age groups, the health risk of men was higher than that of women, the health risk of particulate air pollution was higher than that of gaseous air pollution, and the health risk of PM2.5 was higher than that of PM10. Conclusion The ambient air quality in various urban districts, counties and autonomous counties of Liuzhou reveals obvious seasonal changes. The health risk of particulate pollutants is higher than that of gaseous pollutants, but the overall ambient air quality is good, and the health risk of people is low.