More than 600 million people—roughly the combined population of the United States and the European Union—cannot keep their homes cool enough to remain safe, according to a new study highlighted by Forbes. The report defines 'systemic cooling poverty' as the inability to maintain thermally safe indoor environments due to a lack of access to affordable cooling, poor housing design, or unreliable electricity. As global temperatures rise and heat waves become more frequent, this crisis is escalating, particularly in developing regions where air conditioning is a luxury.
The study, conducted by an international research team and reported by Forbes on May 29, 2026, reveals that cooling poverty is now a pressing global health and equity issue. The lead author noted that systemic cooling poverty is often overlooked in favor of heating poverty, yet extreme heat already kills more people than any other weather-related phenomenon. The research draws on household surveys, climate data, and energy access statistics to estimate the scale of the problem across 90 countries.
Key findings include that over 80% of those affected live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where soaring temperatures coincide with low incomes and unstable power grids. In India alone, nearly 250 million people face severe cooling poverty. The study also highlights that women and children are disproportionately vulnerable, as they spend more time indoors in poorly ventilated homes. Smallholder farmers and urban slum dwellers are among the hardest-hit groups.
The analysis underscores that systemic cooling poverty is not just about discomfort—it is a direct threat to life and health. Heat stress contributes to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, reduces labor productivity, and widens economic inequality. According to the World Health Organization, heat-related deaths have increased by 55% over the past two decades, yet global investment in passive cooling and affordable air conditioning remains inadequate. The report calls for urgent policy action, including subsidies for energy-efficient fans, improved building standards, and expansion of off-grid renewable cooling solutions.
Looking ahead, the number of people in cooling poverty could exceed 1 billion by 2040 if no action is taken, as climate change drives more intense and longer heat events. The authors advocate for integrating cooling access into national climate adaptation plans and for international financing mechanisms similar to those used for clean energy access. Innovations such as solar-powered chillers, phase-change materials in building fabric, and community cooling centers offer scalable solutions. The study concludes that addressing cooling poverty is both a humanitarian obligation and a climate resilience priority.
Climate
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More Than 600 Million People Facing Severe ‘Cooling Poverty’, Study Finds
The report highlights the growing problem of “systemic cooling poverty”, describes situations in which people cannot stay thermally safe because of various factors.
Jamie Hailstone, Contributor
Forbes
3 min read
8/10
Key Takeaways
- Over 600 million people across 90 countries face severe systemic cooling poverty, with more than 80% concentrated in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
- India accounts for roughly 250 million of those affected, making it the country with the largest cooling-poor population.
- The study defines systemic cooling poverty as a multidimensional condition combining lack of access to cooling appliances, unaffordable electricity, and inadequate housing insulation.
- Extreme heat is already the deadliest weather-related hazard, causing over 166,000 deaths globally per year—a figure expected to rise sharply without intervention.
- The report recommends scaling up passive cooling techniques and decentralized renewable cooling systems to close the access gap sustainably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cooling poverty is a condition where people cannot maintain thermally safe indoor temperatures due to lack of access to affordable cooling, poor housing, or unreliable electricity. The study defines it as 'systemic cooling poverty' when these factors are widespread and structural.
More than 600 million people worldwide face severe cooling poverty, with the majority living in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The number could exceed one billion by 2040 without intervention.
South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa account for over 80% of those affected. India alone has nearly 250 million people living in cooling poverty, followed by Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Cooling poverty exposes people to dangerous indoor temperatures during heat waves, increasing risks of heat stroke, cardiovascular stress, and respiratory problems. It also reduces labor productivity and deepens economic inequality.
Solutions include promoting passive cooling architecture, providing subsidies for energy-efficient fans and cooling devices, expanding off-grid solar-powered cooling, and integrating cooling access into national climate adaptation plans.
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Original source
www.forbes.com
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