A recent study by the National University of Singapore has revealed that heat stress is causing economic losses in Singapore, with the losses projected to nearly double to $1.64 billion in 2035 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2018. The study also showed a decline in labor productivity across various economic sectors in the country.
In 2018, heat strain led to an 11.3% decrease in average productivity in sectors like services, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. This trend is projected to worsen over time, with a predicted 14% fall in productivity by 2035. Workers who are exposed to adverse environmental conditions such as working under the sun or with heat-generating machinery will face even higher economic losses.
The study estimates that for every hot day, workers could experience a median income loss of S$21 per worker due to reduced productivity during working hours. Project HeatSafe is the first large-scale study in Singapore and the region to analyze the impact of rising heat levels on both individual health and macroeconomic productivity.
Singapore’s rapid warming rate, which is twice that of the global average, has caused extreme heat levels in the country. The UV index has reached “extreme” levels twice within four days, prompting concerns about the impact of such intense heat on residents. This level of heat exposure not only affects cognitive and physical abilities but also poses risks to the fertility rate, which is already at historic lows in Singapore.
On a global scale, scientists have warned that the world has surpassed a critical warming threshold, moving the planet into an era of extreme heat
