World Bank urges Bangladesh to make extreme heat a development priority

Extreme heat poses a growing threat to jobs, productivity and economic development in Bangladesh and across South Asia, according to a World Bank report released Thursday.

The report estimates that heat is already costing the region the equivalent of nearly 31 million full-time jobs annually and could reduce its economy by almost 7% by 2050.

By 2070, about 520 million South Asians could experience at least one month of dangerous heat each year, four times the current number, the report said.

“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.

The report urged Bangladesh and neighboring countries to strengthen heat action plans, early warning systems, worker protections and resilient infrastructure while expanding sustainable cooling and urban greening.