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Extreme floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves cause Bangladesh an average annual loss of nearly $3 billion, with over 6.3 million people affected by these disasters each year, according to the “Climate Risk Index 2025” report published by Germanwatch today.
The report highlights that countries in the Global South, including Bangladesh, have been disproportionately impacted by extreme weather events over the past 30 years. From 1993 to 2022, over 9,400 extreme weather events occurred worldwide, resulting in nearly 800,000 deaths and $4.2 trillion in economic losses. Among the most affected nations by floods, storms, and heatwaves during this period are Dominica, China, and Honduras, with Bangladesh ranking 31st globally. The Climate Risk Index ranks countries based on the human and economic impacts of extreme weather events, including fatalities, injuries, and homelessness.
The report also highlights the intense heatwave from March to May 2022, which reached a record 49.5°C in Nawabshah, Pakistan. This heatwave was followed by severe flooding that affected India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, resulting in over 90 deaths. A study by the World Weather Attribution project found that climate change made this heatwave 30 times more likely, emphasizing the growing threat of compounded climate events.
Despite its vulnerability to climate change, Bangladesh has successfully reduced disaster-related deaths through effective climate adaptation and disaster risk management. The report praises Bangladesh as a global model for climate adaptation. Over the past 40 years, the country has reduced cyclone-related deaths by more than 100-fold, from 500,000 in the 1970 cyclone to 4,234 in 2007.
The report also notes that while China, India, and the Philippines are frequently affected by extreme weather events, countries like Dominica, Honduras, Myanmar, and Vanuatu experience some of the most exceptional weather disasters. Italy, Spain, and Greece are also among the top 10 most affected countries globally.
Call for More Climate Finance
Germanwatch’s Laura Schaefer warns that the climate crisis is evolving into a global security risk, requiring bold international action. She stressed that incomplete data may underestimate the true impact on Global South countries, which are disproportionately affected. David Eckstein, Senior Advisor for Climate Finance, pointed out that $4.2 trillion in losses over 30 years is equivalent to Germany’s entire GDP, warning that delayed mitigation efforts would lead to even greater costs.
The report emphasizes the need for more climate finance to support vulnerable nations, urging stronger global mitigation efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. It also calls for greater support for climate risk management to minimize the human and economic losses from extreme weather events.
