Environmental pollution causes premature deaths of 3.5 million people annually in Bangladesh
About 272,000 people die prematurely in Bangladesh every year due to environmental pollution. And 55% of premature deaths are due to air pollution.
This information has been revealed in the World Bank’s Country Environmental Analysis-2024 report released on January 9.
At a report launch in Dhaka, the World Bank stated that air pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation, and lead pollution result in over 272,000 premature deaths annually.
As a result, 5.2 billion days are spent sick every year. These environmental causes caused a loss equivalent to 17.6 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP in 2019.
Indoor and outdoor air pollution significantly harms health, causing 55% of premature deaths and accounting for 8.32% of GDP in 2019.
Abdullaye Sek, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, stated that tackling environmental risks is a key priority for Bangladesh’s development and economy. “Economic growth isn’t sustainable if it harms the environment,” he added.
Ana Luisa Gomez Lima, a Senior Environment Specialist at the World Bank and co-author of the report, stated that Bangladesh can combat environmental pollution with timely and effective policies.
Enhancing environmental protection, promoting green cooking fuels, increasing green finance, establishing effective carbon markets, and raising awareness can reduce pollution and foster green growth.
