Lung Diseases Threaten Southeast Asia’s Economic Growth

Asia is home to some of the most polluted countries in the world.

In addition, the number of people with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) is on the rise.

CRDs, which include asthma and lung cancer as well as COPD, are caused by smoking, air pollution and exposure to chemicals. They cut lives short by up to three years for those living in the most polluted places in Southeast Asia.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in particular has risen from the seventh-leading cause of death in Southeast Asia in 2000, to the fourth today.

The progressive lung disease will cost health systems of the region $584 billion by 2050.

Root causes of COPD include the quality of air in Asia’s megacities, as well as high smoking rates.

As of early 2025, nine of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world were in Asia. The list includes Dhaka, Karachi, Kathmandu, Hanoi and Bangkok. Myanmar and Indonesia, meanwhile, rank among the five countries with the most smokers globally.

Measures that governments need to roll out include policies to improve air quality and smoking rates. However, implementing legislation that would mandate lower industrial emissions, for example, would mean a loss of profits for corporations.

However, public policy to reduce exposure to hazardous air, be it through pollution or secondhand smoke, can be successful.

China, for example, has seen a drop in pollution-related deaths since implementing its clean air initiatives, while Thailand has seen similar benefits as a result of its tobacco control measures.