India faces severe economic risks due to extreme heat, with at least half of the 1.4 billion population working outdoors. Rising temperatures threaten productivity, as recorded in 2023 with 182 billion labor hours lost, potentially equating to 34 million full-time jobs by 2030. Heat waves, now reaching over 50 degrees Celsius, affect agriculture, construction, and overall worker capacity, which can decrease by 50% at 35 degrees Celsius. Economic ramifications include significant income losses—$159 billion in 2021—accounting for 5.4% of GDP, threatening development across similar countries.
"Heat waves have been increasing in India, spreading into new geographies and occurring earlier than expected. In such heat waves, temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit)."
"In 2023 alone, India lost 182 billion potential labor hours to extreme heat. By 2030, it could lose the equivalent of 34 million full-time jobs."
"At 35 degrees Celsius, a worker operating at moderate work intensity loses about 50% of his or her work capacity. When scaled across an economy, that decline becomes a massive economic drag."
"In 2021, heat caused income losses of roughly $159 billion across sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, services, and construction, 5.4% of India's GDP."
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