World Bank warns extreme heat could cut South Asia jobs and GDP by 2050

A World Bank report warns that extreme heat is already costing South Asia the equivalent of 31 million full‑time jobs each year and could shrink the region’s GDP by up to 7 % by 2050 if adaptation measures are not taken. In India, the report projects the loss of 266,000 jobs in Delhi by 2030, rising to 418,000 by 2050, with similar large job‑equivalent losses projected for Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Temperatures at Delhi’s airport could approach 50 °C, threatening airline operations, while public‑transport users face greater heat exposure. Rising cooling demand is straining electricity networks; India recorded a 15 % jump in electricity use in May 2024 and air‑conditioner sales rose 34 % year‑on‑year. A five‑day heatwave was linked to roughly 30,000 excess deaths, underscoring the health burden.