A single hot day costs Germany 984 million euros.

2026-07-30

Every day with temperatures above 35°C costs Germany an estimated **€984 million**, highlighting the enormous economic impact of the country's increasingly frequent heatwaves.

According to calculations by the research and consulting firm **Prognos**, the costs come from a combination of lower employee productivity, heat-related illnesses, workplace accidents, infrastructure strain, and disruptions across multiple industries. Experts say extreme heat is no longer just an environmental issue but a growing economic threat.

The analysis found that the severe heatwave at the end of June alone caused around **€6.3 billion** in economic damage. If Germany experiences several similar heatwaves each year, annual losses could exceed **€20 billion**, placing increasing pressure on businesses and public finances.

Heat is also taking a heavy toll on workers. High temperatures reduce productivity, increase sick leave, and make physically demanding jobs significantly more dangerous. Sectors such as construction, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and transport are among the hardest hit, while hospitals and emergency services face rising demand during prolonged hot weather.

Researchers warn that climate-related economic losses are expected to rise further unless stronger adaptation measures are introduced. They are calling for more investment in heat protection for employees, climate-resilient infrastructure, and better emergency planning to reduce the financial and human cost of future heatwaves across Germany.