The ILO puts a cost on working through rising heat

International Labour OrganizationWeekender issue 1 Nov 2026

The ILO puts a cost on working through rising heat

By 2040, heat stress could cost Ethiopia the equivalent of 1.78 million full-time jobs and about $33 billion a year in GDP, even on a low-emissions path. The projection comes from new International Labour Organization studies of Ethiopia, Ghana, Lebanon, the Maldives, Senegal and Sri Lanka. The ILO estimates that 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to excessive heat, which causes nearly 19,000 work-related deaths each year. Its studies recommend workplace safety measures and social protection, with governments, employers and workers deciding how to adapt.By 2040, heat stress could cost Ethiopia the equivalent of 1.78 million full-time jobs and about $33 billion a year in GDP, even on a low-emissions path. The projection comes from new International Labour Organization studies of Ethiopia, Ghana, Lebanon, the Maldives, Senegal and Sri Lanka. The ILO estimates that 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to excessive heat, which causes nearly 19,000 work-related deaths each year. Its studies recommend workplace safety measures and social protection, with governments, employers and workers deciding how to adapt.Expert summary pending. Showing the newcomer version.

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