Heat-related deaths were lower than expected in 2025 in several parts of the world despite record-breaking temperatures. Development experts say this shows that early warnings, public awareness and better emergency response systems are starting to save lives, even as global warming intensifies.
However, the broader global picture shows that extreme heat remains a growing risk across continents. For instance, in Africa, extreme heat is becoming a major public health concern, especially in cities where unreliable electricity limits access to cooling.
Many countries across West and North Africa recorded prolonged high temperatures, worsening water shortages, food prices and energy demand.
In Europe, countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece continued to experience intense heatwaves and wildfires, with governments expanding heat alert systems, cooling centres and emergency response strategies. Although, across parts, health agencies reported fewer heat-related deaths than projected despite multiple heatwaves during the summer. In England, for example, about 1,504 heat-related deaths were recorded, roughly half of the more than 3,000 that had been predicted, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Experts say heat alerts, hospital preparedness and public health campaigns helped reduce the impact.
Looking at Asia, countries including India and Pakistan continued to face dangerous heatwave conditions, with temperatures in some regions crossing 45°C, affecting outdoor workers, agriculture and power supply.
In North America, parts of the United States and Mexico experienced extended heatwaves, increasing pressure on electricity grids due to air conditioning demand, while also contributing to wildfires and drought conditions.
Additionally, in South America, countries such as Brazil experienced unusually high temperatures linked to climate change and El Niño weather patterns, affecting farming and water supply.
Climate scientists say one major reason heat deaths did not rise as sharply as expected in some regions in 2025 was early preparation. Warmer spring temperatures meant governments issued heat warnings earlier, hospitals prepared in advance, and more people were aware of the dangers of extreme heat.
Health experts say the most vulnerable people globally remain the elderly, young children, outdoor workers and people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease and respiratory conditions.
Extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration and can worsen existing medical conditions. In many developing countries, the risk is higher because millions of people rely on informal work, public transport and have limited access to air conditioning or constant electricity.
Climate forecasts suggest that 2026 could again rank among the warmest years ever recorded globally, meaning governments around the world are now shifting from seeing heatwaves as temporary weather events to treating them as major public health emergencies.
The key lesson from 2025, experts say, is clear: heatwaves are becoming a permanent global risk, but early warning systems, public awareness and coordinated health responses can significantly reduce deaths.
The challenge now, especially across Africa and other developing regions, is whether infrastructure, healthcare systems and urban planning can keep up with a rapidly warming world.
