An Unsustainable Life The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh

A manifestation of climate change, temperatures in Bangladesh are increasing at an alarming rate, with frequent bouts of extreme heat events. In 43 years, between 1980 and 2023, maximum temperature in the country increased by 1.1°C, while the “feels like” temperature rose by 4.5°C over the same duration. How does increasing exposure to excess heat affect the physical and mental health outcomes of individuals and their productivity in the short term? An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh analyzes temperature changes in Bangladesh between 1976 and 2023. The study then uses primary data collected in 2024 from a two-round household survey covering more than 16,000 individuals in Bangladesh to quantify the adverse effects of rising temperatures on specific physical and mental health conditions as well as on productivity losses. Using the findings, the report serves three main purposes: (1) provide localized evidence that links the effect of heat on health and recommend effective adaptation measures to reduce the vulnerabilities of the Bangladeshi population to heat; (2) quantify economic losses borne by the country due to global warming to assist policy makers in leveraging international support and financing to mitigate the impacts; and (3) add evidence to the global discourse on heat and human physical and mental health, and loss of productivity. The evidence presented in this report underscores the immediate need for comprehensive strategies to address the escalating health risks posed by climate change, notably heat, in Bangladesh. Interventions that can help individuals moderate the effects of heat on their health are critical to ensure the well-being of the population. Learning from best practices of climate-comparable countries and leveraging localized information, Bangladesh can create a more resilient future to better address the impacts of climate change.