Rising temperatures are threatening the health and economy of Bangladesh, according to a new World Bank report.
The study, An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh, found that since 1980 the nation’s maximum temperature has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius (2°F), while the “feels like” temperature has surged by 4.5 degrees Celsius (8.1°F). Bangladesh now ranks second globally for exposure to extreme heat, with Dhaka’s heat index 65 percent above the national average.
Heat-related illnesses cost the country an estimated 250 million workdays in 2024, equal to $1.78 billion or 0.4 percent of GDP. Health problems included diarrhea, respiratory disease, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, with women especially vulnerable to exhaustion and heat stroke.
The World Bank urged Bangladesh to adopt a coordinated adaptation strategy, expand green spaces, strengthen health systems, and invest in climate resilience to sustain growth.