Bangladesh lost about US$1.78bn in productivity last year as extreme heat reduced working hours and increased health risks, according to a World Bank report released in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The study, The Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh, estimates that rising temperatures cost the country between $1.33bn and $1.78bn in 2024, equivalent to 0.3–0.4% of GDP. Around 25 million working hours were lost due to heat-related illnesses.

The report warns that without stronger adaptation measures, economic losses could rise to 4.9% of GDP by 2030. Since 1980, Bangladesh’s maximum temperature has climbed by 1.1°C, while the “feels like” temperature has increased by 4.5°C.

Health effects are already widespread, with diarrhoea, persistent cough, respiratory problems, and fatigue reported more frequently in summer. Mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety are also aggravated by heat, the report notes. Women are particularly vulnerable to exhaustion and heat stroke, while depression rises with age, and anxiety peaks between 50 and 65.

Dhaka has been identified as a global hotspot for urban heat, with the temperature increasing about 65% higher than the national average. Rapid urbanisation, population density, and shrinking green spaces are cited as drivers of the city’s “urban heat island” effect.

The Bank calls for urgent, evidence-based policies and investment to protect health, safeguard livelihoods, and build resilience against escalating heat risks.