Extreme heat puts South Asia’s jobs and growth at risk: World Bank

Extreme heat is costing South Asia nearly the equivalent of 31 million full-time jobs every year and is on track to reduce the region’s economy by nearly 7 percent by 2050, according to a new World Bank report released on Friday. The report cautions that as South Asia prepares to add 280 million working-age people by 2050, rising temperatures are one of the greatest threats to jobs, productivity, and long-term economic growth in the region.

Extreme heat is already reducing labour productivity, disrupting businesses, and jeopardizing the competitiveness of South Asia’s cities. It is also putting growing pressure on health systems and critical infrastructure, while hitting low-income households, informal workers, women, the elderly, and children the hardest,’’ said the report titled -- “A Livable Future: Protecting Jobs and Growth from Extreme Heat in South Asia’s Cities” .