DHAKA – With rising temperature, Bangladesh is facing physical and mental health risks, along with declining productivity leading to economic loss, said a new World Bank report launched Tuesday.
The “An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh” analyzed national temperature and humidity trends from 1976 to 2023 and draws from a new two-round 2024 household survey of more than 16,000 people.
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Since 1980, it said, Bangladesh’s maximum temperature has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius, while the “feels like” temperature has surged by 4.5 degrees Celsius, triggering a rise in health issues such as diarrhea, persistent cough, respiratory diseases, and fatigue. Heatwaves also caused mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, it added.
“Extreme heat is not just a seasonal inconvenience. Its impact is far-reaching. As we see in Bangladesh, the rising temperature is affecting our health and productivity, and the country’s prosperity,” said Jean Pesme, World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The Washington-based lender said Bangladesh ranks second globally in exposure to elevated temperatures, and the heat index in its capital Dhaka increased about 65 percent higher than the national average.
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In 2024, it said heat-related physical and mental health conditions led to a loss of 25 million workdays.
This cost the economy up to $1.78 billion — around 0.4 percent of GDP in 2024, the report noted.
The report calls for urgent, coordinated action to protect people, livelihoods, and the economy from escalating heat risks. It recommends enhancing national preparedness through a multisectoral approach to deal with heatwaves and equipping the health system to manage heat-related illnesses.