Rising heat cost Bangladesh $1.7bn and 2.5bn workdays in 2024: World Bank report

Bangladesh has lost at least 2.5 billion workdays in 2024 due to illnesses caused by rising temperatures, a World Bank study has found. The economic cost of these losses amounts to between $1.33 billion and $1.78 billion, the equivalent of 0.3 to 0.4 percent of the country’s GDP.

The findings were published on Monday in a report titled “An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh”.

The study was based on temperature and humidity data from 1976 to 2023, alongside two rounds of surveys conducted in 2024 with 16,000 participants.

The keynote paper was presented by the report's co-authors Iffat Mahmud and Wameq A Raza.

According to the report, Bangladesh’s maximum recorded temperature has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1980. But the “feels-like” temperature has surged by 4.5 degrees Celsius in the same period.

The report says the rise has contributed to diarrhoea, respiratory distress, chronic cough, fatigue, and other physical illnesses, while also driving mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

Dhaka has been identified as the most severely affected area. The capital has experienced a 1.4 degrees Celsius rise in average temperatures since 1980 -- almost 65 percent higher than the national average.

The report links this to higher levels of diarrhoea, persistent coughs, breathing problems, and extreme fatigue among Dhaka’s residents.

'NO LONGER A THEORETICAL ISSUE'

Speaking at the event, Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said rising temperatures were no longer a "theoretical issue", but the "lived reality" of every citizen.

“Although global in nature, the impact of temperature rise is felt far more intensely here, putting our public health and economy at grave risk."

“Research should not remain confined to reports. Recommendations must be translated into time-bound action plans. Every agency must have clearly defined roles, and national stakeholders must assume responsibility to turn these into concrete steps.”

Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Dr Sayedur Rahman highlighted the ramifications of such health issues for the economy.

“When people’s productivity falls due to health reasons, it has a direct and significant impact on the national economy. Those responsible for the adverse effects of climate change must be held accountable for compensation.”

The World Bank report examined the relationship between heat, health and productivity and said the findings were alarming.

Chronic cough was identified as the most common health issue.

In winter, 3.3 percent of survey participants reported chronic cough, compared to 6 percent in summer. The condition was particularly prevalent among people over 66. When the temperature rose above 30 degrees Celsius, the incidence of chronic cough increased by 22.7 percent.

Heat-related fatigue affected 2.6 percent of participants. It was most common among adults aged 36-65 and the elderly during the summer. Compared to temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius, the likelihood of fatigue rose by 26.5 percent when temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius.

Diarrhoea was reported by 4.4 percent of participants in summer, compared to 1.8 percent in winter. Women and children under five were the most vulnerable. The likelihood of diarrhoea rose by 47.7 percent when temperatures exceeded 35 degrees Celsius compared to below 30 degrees Celsius.

Mental health problems worsened significantly in hotter months, according to the study.

Depression affected 16.2 percent of participants in winter, compared to 20 percent in summer. Anxiety disorders rose from 8.3 percent in winter to 10 percent in summer. When temperatures climbed above 35°C, the likelihood of depression increased by 23.8 percent, while anxiety rose by 37.1 percent.

The report warns that rising heat is placing Bangladesh’s public health and economic future at grave risk.