Pollution Linked to $95 Billion in Annual Losses and Premature Deaths
NEW DELHI – Northern India’s toxic smog is not only suffocating residents and causing millions of premature deaths but also significantly slowing the country’s economic growth.
Each winter, emissions from vehicles, factories, and farm fires envelop cities like New Delhi in hazardous smog, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s safe limits by more than 50 times. These cancer-causing microparticles enter the bloodstream, posing severe health risks.
Economic Toll: $95 Billion Annually
Experts estimate air pollution costs India approximately $95 billion annually, equating to nearly 3% of its GDP. This figure includes losses from reduced productivity, work absences, chronic illnesses, and premature deaths, according to a Dalberg study.
• Workforce Impact: In 2019, 3.8 billion working days were lost, costing $44 billion.
• Consumer Economy Losses: Health-related issues reduced consumer spending, causing $22 billion in losses annually.
• Regional Impact: Delhi, at the heart of the crisis, loses 6% of its GDP annually to air pollution.
Health-conscious individuals avoiding outdoor activities and declining tourism during the smog season have further hurt industries such as hospitality and travel.
Health and GDP Decline
A 2023 World Bank study found that India’s GDP could have been 4.5% higher by the end of the year if pollution levels had been halved over the past 25 years. Additionally, research published in The Lancet calculated a 1.36% annual GDP slowdown due to premature deaths and related health issues.
Insufficient Measures
Government initiatives, including temporary bans on construction and school closures, have done little to address the crisis. Critics call these measures inadequate, pointing out their own economic disruptions.
“Stopping work every winter makes schedules go awry and overshoots budgets,” said Sanjeev Bansal, chairman of the Builders Association of India in Delhi.
A Looming Crisis
Without effective action, the situation is likely to worsen. With India’s median age rising to 32 by 2030, studies warn of increased vulnerability to pollution-related illnesses and mortality.
As restaurateur Sandeep Anand Goyle puts it, “This smog is both a health and wealth hazard.” The need for sustainable solutions is urgent to protect both lives and livelihoods.