Gita Gopinath: Pollution Costs India More Than Tariffs, Major Economic Drain
Economy
C
CNBC TV18•22-01-2026, 12:56
Gita Gopinath: Pollution Costs India More Than Tariffs, Major Economic Drain
- •Gita Gopinath highlighted at Davos that pollution is a greater economic problem for India than tariffs, impacting public health and the economy.
- •Air pollution causes significant economic drain, eroding household incomes, weakening businesses, and slowing overall economic growth.
- •The Lancet estimates air pollution costs India roughly 9% of its GDP annually, exceeding combined healthcare and education spending.
- •Businesses like Shoppers Stop report reduced sales due to lower footfalls during high pollution, with a 2021 study estimating a $95 billion annual cost to Indian businesses.
- •Pollution leads to premature deaths, lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and reduced consumer spending, acting as a hidden tax on Indians.
Why It Matters: Pollution is a critical economic issue for India, costing more than tariffs and demanding urgent policy action.
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