Extreme heat puts South Asia’s jobs and growth at risk: World Bank

Extreme heat is costing South Asia nearly the equivalent of 31 million full-time jobs every year and is on track to reduce the region’s economy by nearly 7 percent by 2050, according to a new World Bank report released on Friday. The report cautions that as South Asia prepares to add 280 million working-age people by 2050, rising temperatures are one of the greatest threats to jobs, productivity, and long-term economic growth in the region.

Heat threat

Extreme heat is already reducing labour productivity, disrupting businesses, and jeopardizing the competitiveness of South Asia’s cities. It is also putting growing pressure on health systems and critical infrastructure, while hitting low-income households, informal workers, women, the elderly, and children the hardest,’’ said the report titled — “A Livable Future: Protecting Jobs and Growth from Extreme Heat in South Asia’s Cities” .

It also warns that by 2070, around 520 million people across South Asia could experience at least one month of dangerous heat each year, four times as many as today.

Economic risks

“South Asia’s cities are central to the region’s future, but rising temperatures are putting jobs, livelihoods, and economic growth at risk,” said Johannes Zutt, World Bank vice president for South Asia.

“Building heat- resilient cities is not only about protecting people from rising temperatures. It is about safeguarding jobs, boosting productivity, attracting investment, and ensuring cities continue to drive economic growth.

By acting now, countries can build more resilient, competitive, and liveable cities that create opportunities for future generations.”

The report examines extreme heat through the lens of jobs, productivity, and economic growth. It shows how rising temperatures affect workers, businesses, infrastructure, public services, and urban economies.

Way forward

The report argues that heat should no longer be treated as a seasonal emergency but should become a core development priority that is integrated into urban planning, infrastructure investment, public policy, and private sector development.

The report recommends investing in heat resilient infrastructure, strengthening heat action plans, protecting vulnerable workers, expanding sustainable cooling, improving early warning systems, and mobilizing public and private investment to build more resilient cities.