Countries Most Vulnerable to Climate Change

Global climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing our world today. Increasing temperatures, intense weather events and rising sea levels are affecting millions of people around the world. Climate change affects every country the same, but some countries are much more vulnerable because of geographic, economic and social factors. Knowing which countries to focus on is important for helping to prioritise global climate change action efforts.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is often affected by floods, cyclones, and riverbank erosion. With much of the population living near sea level, it is highly vulnerable to climate impacts.

Pakistan

Pakistan is increasingly experiencing heatwaves, glacial melt, and floods. With an economy dependent on agriculture, farmers risk changes in rainfall patterns.

India

Diverse climatic zones within India experience droughts, floods, and cyclones. Coastal regions, especially in eastern India, face a significant risk of sea level rise.   

Philippines

The Philippines already experiences powerful typhoons nearly every year, and when you couple this with vulnerable infrastructure and coastal urban concentrations with dense populations, the risk will increase.

Vietnam

Vietnam is affected by flooding, typhoons, and rising sea levels, with the Mekong Delta, critical for agriculture, in danger.

Haiti

Haiti is threatened by hurricanes, poor infrastructure, and is losing its forests due to its limited resources in response and recovery.

Myanmar

Cyclones and flooding have occurred in Myanmar in recent decades, affecting the country in recent decades, with climate change threatening coastal and inland communities.

Mozambique

Mozambique is prone to floods and cyclones. Many people are poor, and the infrastructure is weak, particularly making Mozambique susceptible to severe climate impacts. 

Madagascar

Madagascar must deal with cyclones, droughts, and food insecurity. Climate change worsens existing social and economic vulnerabilities for communities in Madagascar.

Nepal

Nepal is particularly prone to glacial lake outburst floods and landslides. It is mountainous, and this raises risks for communities and infrastructure throughout the country.

Climate Vulnerability: Internal Perspectives

To understand climate risk in more detail, check out this climate vulnerability table, which identifies exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity for countries that are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Specifically, this long-tail keyword, “climate vulnerable countries and their risk factors,” provides an opportunity for interested readers to sort through the interactive data and explore worldwide resilience efforts.

Table About the Table

Country	Major Risks	Population at Risk (millions)	Key Challenges
Bangladesh	Flooding, Cyclones	45	Low elevation, dense population
Pakistan	Heatwaves, Floods	60	Agriculture-dependent economy
India	Droughts, Cyclones	138	Coastal flooding, agriculture

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What makes some nations more susceptible to climatic changes?

A1: Reasons for a nation’s vulnerability to climate change include geography, economic development, infrastructure, and population density in hazardous zones.

Q2: Is it possible for these nations to dissipate their vulnerability to climate change?

A2: Yes, if there is global collaboration in enhancing crucial infrastructure and creating sustainable policies, the countries can dissipate their vulnerability to climate change.

Q3: How does climate change influence day-to-day life?

A3: Climate change can disrupt agriculture, accessibility of water, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, especially in regions that are highly vulnerable to climate change.