Singapore’s economic losses due to heat stress are projected to increase significantly in the coming years, according to a recent study by the National University of Singapore. The study showed that in 2018, Singapore’s pre-pandemic economic losses due to heat stress were $824 million. However, this could nearly double to $1.64 billion in 2035.
Workers exposed to adverse environmental conditions will experience even higher productivity losses, with an estimated median income loss of S$21 per worker for every hot day. The decline in labor productivity across Singapore’s major economic sectors due to heat strain in 2018 was significant, with an 11.3% fall in average productivity. This is expected to worsen, with productivity projected to decrease by 14% in 2035, resulting in an economic loss of S$2.22 billion.
The Project HeatSafe conducted by the National University of Singapore is the first large-scale study in Singapore and the region that aims to assess the impact of rising heat levels on productivity and health on both individual and macroeconomic levels. Taking 2018 as the baseline for the study, the research team chose this year as it was pre-pandemic and the last “normal year” for which data was available.
Singapore, which is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe, recently experienced extreme levels of UV radiation for the second time within four days. The country is not alone in facing intense heat, as scientists have warned of surpassing key warming thresholds globally. The impact of extreme heat exposure goes beyond productivity, affecting cognitive capacity, physical exertion, and even fertility rates in Singapore, which are already at historic lows.
In conclusion, it is important for Singapore to take measures to mitigate the negative effects of extreme heat on its economy and population. This includes investing in technology and infrastructure that can help workers stay cool during hot weather and implementing policies that protect workers from adverse environmental conditions.
The study highlights how rising temperatures can have a significant impact on labor productivity and health outcomes across various industries
