Bangladesh lost $1.78 billion in 2024 due to heat-related health problems and reduced productivity, equivalent to 0.4% of GDP, as rising temperatures trigger widespread physical and mental health issues, according to a new World Bank report. The study “An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh” analyzed temperature trends from 1976-2023 and surveyed over 16,000 people in 2024. Since 1980, maximum temperatures have risen 1.1°C while “feels like” temperatures have surged 4.5°C, causing 250 million lost workdays last year.
Bangladesh ranks second globally in exposure to high temperatures, with Dhaka’s heat index rising 65% above the national average. The country faces mounting health challenges as summer cases of diarrhea and persistent cough double compared to winter rates. Women show higher vulnerability to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, while depression and anxiety increase with rising temperatures across all age groups.
World Bank Division Director Jean Pesme called extreme heat more than seasonal discomfort. “The rising temperature is affecting our health and productivity, and the country’s prosperity,” he said. Heat-induced illnesses now include respiratory diseases, fatigue, depression, and anxiety, with mental health impacts becoming increasingly severe as temperatures climb higher.
The report recommends urgent coordinated action including better national preparedness through multisectoral approaches to heatwaves and strengthening health systems for heat-related illnesses. Adaptation measures should focus on urban green spaces and collecting accurate weather data to inform policy decisions. International support and public-private financing will prove essential for helping Bangladesh manage escalating global warming impacts.
