Impacts of climate change on labor productivity: a narrative review

Abstract

Climate change, characterized by long-term shifts in global weather patterns, exerts significant impacts on ecosystems and human health. This study aimed to assess the influence of climate change and natural disasters on labor productivity. A literature review was conducted in PubMed, including studies investigating exposure to climate change or natural disasters and their relationship with productivity. Of the 774 records initially identified, 12 studies were eligible for analysis. All assessed heat overload associated with global warming. Heat stress was found to be related to substantial productivity losses in labor-intensive outdoor activities, particularly in agriculture and construction, with estimated reductions of up to 80% in vulnerable regions — such as Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa — and under more pessimistic warming scenarios. Evidence suggests that adaptation measures, such as adjusting work schedules, can partially mitigate these effects, although with limited effectiveness in severe warming contexts. Climate change compromises labor productivity, with heat stress as a central factor. Although workplace adaptations are necessary, they are insufficient under extreme scenarios. The findings highlight the importance of investment in climate mitigation and research, with special attention to vulnerable regions such as Brazil, and the expansion of research scope to include other outcomes, such as air pollution, increased vector-borne diseases, and intensified extreme weather events.