Gita Gopinath Pollution Bigger Economic Threat to India Than Global Tariffs

Former IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath warns at Davos pollution kills 1.7M Indians yearly costing productivity health more than Trump tariffs demanding urgent national cleanup mission​

Davos|23 January,2026: Harvard Professor Gita Gopinath former IMF chief economist delivered stark warning World Economic Forum declaring environmental pollution constitutes greater threat Indian economy than US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs during sidelines interview.​

Gopinath cited 2022 World Bank study documenting 1.7 million annual pollution related deaths representing 18 percent total Indian mortality primarily urban concentrations Delhi NCR Indo Gangetic plain stubble burning vehicular emissions industrial pollution sources. Real pollution costs extend beyond environment intertwining economic growth labor productivity citizen health creating long term drag hindering projected third largest economy status 2028 timeline significantly. Healthcare expenditures escalate workforce efficiency declines lost labor hours accumulate burdening public finances disproportionately poorer households lacking mitigation resources.

“Addressing pollution should become top mission India challenge far more consequential tariffs” Gopinath declared highlighting international investors evaluate business viability living conditions alongside economic fundamentals. Urban pollution crisis persists despite infrastructure expansion manufacturing push creating investor hesitancy hindering FDI inflows critical growth acceleration land acquisition judicial delays compound environmental neglect.​Gopinath advocated comprehensive national mission approach treating pollution control economic strategy priority deregulation land reforms structural constraints. Pollution undermines per capita income gains exacerbating inequality poorer communities suffer disproportionate respiratory cardiovascular impacts reducing human capital formation essential demographic dividend realization.​

India macroeconomic stability remains strength solid growth low single digit inflation domestic consumption buffers external shocks tariff wars market corrections remain vulnerabilities. EU India trade deal prospects signal economic cooperation navigating fragmented global marketplace while pollution demands domestic priority securing long term growth trajectory environmental sustainability coexistence.​Supreme Court directed comprehensive air quality management plans Delhi surrounding states underscoring judicial pollution intervention necessity alongside policy economic discourse shifts recognizing environmental macroeconomic stability linchpin emerging economy aspirations fulfillment.

Follow us On Our Social media Handles :
Instagram
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter

Also Read- Pune