Asia Bears Highest Human Cost
ISLAMABAD โ Natural disasters caused more than 16,000 deaths and affected 110.2 million people globally in 2025, according to data from the Emergency Events Database maintained by the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters at the University of Louvain in Belgium. The report recorded 358 hazard-related events and estimated total economic losses at $169.68 billion.
Asia accounted for the majority of fatalities, contributing 72.8 percent of total disaster-related deaths. Major earthquakes in Myanmar and Afghanistan drove this high toll. In Myanmar, an earthquake killed at least 3,820 people and caused losses of around $11 billion. Similarly, Afghanistan recorded approximately 2,200 deaths from a powerful quake.
Meanwhile, other regions also faced significant impacts. The Americas reported the highest economic losses at $110.6 billion, while Africa and Europe experienced dozens of disasters throughout the year. ุณูุฑูุง also endured a severe drought, leaving nearly 80 percent of its population in need of assistance.
Pakistan Floods Highlight Climate Risks
Pakistan experienced severe flooding during the monsoon season from June to September. Intense rains, which peaked in mid-August, triggered widespread damage, causing more than 1,000 deaths and affecting 6.9 million people. As a result, the country ranked among the most impacted globally.
However, experts caution that the figures remain incomplete. Reporting delays, particularly for heatwaves in Pakistan, India and Europe, mean that some fatalities have not yet been included. Consequently, final totals may rise.
Overall, the data underscores growing climate risks and highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, response strategies and long-term resilience planning worldwide.
