WASHINGTON, June 24, 2025-Cities across Europe and Central Asia (ECA) have experienced a sharp and consistent rise in temperatures in recent decades, which is projected to triple the already tens of thousands of heat-related deaths and decrease annual GDP by an estimated 2.5 percent by 2050, according to a new report by the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery released today.
The report, Unlivable: How Cities in Europe and Central Asia Can Survive and Thrive in a Hotter Future, says the number of hot days in the region's major cities, where over 70% of people live, could more than triple by 2050, with many cities likely to experience more than 40-70 additional hot days per year, especially in Southern Europe and Türkiye.
According to the report, dense construction, limited vegetation, and heat-trapping surfaces contribute to an urban heat island effect that makes cities especially vulnerable to negative impacts from rising temperatures. Extreme heat events send thousands of people to emergency rooms, overwhelming hospitals and worsening chronic illness, especially for older adults and people living in low-income communities.
Heat extremes short circuit and wear down transport systems, strain power grids, intensify droughts, elevate the risk of wildfires, and worsen air quality, the report added. They also slow down workers, reduce working hours, and cut output, especially in outdoor sectors like construction, transport, and tourism. Further, much of the region's infrastructure and housing stock, particularly in Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe, was built in the mid-20th century and is overdue for renewal.
"As temperatures continue to rise and heatwaves become more common, cities across the region are becoming increasingly unlivable, especially for older adults, children, and low-income populations," said Sameh Wahba, World Bank Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. "But cities also hold the keys to action, like investing in tree-planting for greater canopy cover and retrofitting schools, hospitals, and housing stock for passive cooling."
The report also points to other steps cities can take now to minimize the negative impacts from rising temperatures, such as developing early warning systems and responsive public health services, offering cooling centers where needed most, using heat-tolerant materials, and factoring weather extremes into infrastructure planning.
The report adds that success depends on enabling local action within a broader, well-coordinated system.
"Cities and mayors are taking the lead in designing, financing, and implementing heat resilience measures, but they need clear mandates, sustained funding, and strong coordination with national authorities to succeed," said Megha Mukim, Senior Urban Economist at the World Bank. "Acting now can help save lives and strengthen prosperity in ECA's cities for decades to come."
