Extreme heat is causing significant economic and employment losses in Bangladesh, with heatr e l a t e d productivity l o s s e s estimated at up to $1.8 billion in 2024, while around 465,000 full-time jobs in Dhaka are effectively lost each year, according to a World Bank report.
The report, A Livable Future: Protecting Jobs and Growth from Extreme Heat in South Asia’s Cities, warned that rising temperatures could increasingly threaten Bangladesh’s jobs, exports and economic growth without urgent adaptation measures.
Heat stress currently makes about 3% of annual working hours in Dhaka unworkable.
Without effective adaptation, the fi gure could rise to 7.4% by 2080, equivalent to nearly 1.65 million full-time jobs.
Low-income workers in construction, manufacturing, transport, agriculture and informal services are particularly vulnerable.