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GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2021

acts
The Philippines ranked 17th in the world as the most
affected country from extreme weather events in the
Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2021. The country got
a score of 26.67 using 2019 data (Chart 1). In 2018,
it ranked 2nd in the index with a score of 11.17, the in
lowest during the 2015-2019 period. Note that Typhoon
Mangkhut (Ompong), a category 5 super typhoon and
the most powerful typhoon recorded worldwide in 2018,
made landfall in Cagayan province in September of that
igures
year.
Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department
Chart 1 House of Representatives
Philippines CRI Score and Ranking, 2015-2019 February 2021 (No. 09)

In terms of deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, the

Philippines ranked 14th in the world with a ratio of 0.43
in 2018 (Chart 3). In 2019, Philippines ranked 40th in the
index but data for this indicator was also not presented.
Chart 3
Philippines Deaths per 100,000 Inhabitants
and Ranking, 2015-2018

Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch

The Global CRI is based on the impacts of extreme

weather events and associated socio-economic data.
It indicates the level of exposure and vulnerability to
extreme events such as storms, floods, heat waves
among others, which countries should understand as
warnings in order to be prepared for more frequent
and/or more severe events in the future as a result of
climate change. Countries with the lowest CRI scores
Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch
are ranked highest in the index as the most affected.
Climate-related events cost the Philippines a total of
In 2018, there were 455 total fatalities recorded in the US$ 4.5 billion in absolute losses in 2018, ranking 7th
Philippines which ranked 4th globally by death toll in the index (Chart 4). This is a significant increase from
(Chart 2). Note that in 2019 the country ranked 13th in the US$ 505 million in losses recorded in 2017, which
the index but data on fatalities was not presented in the is also the lowest during the period 2015-2018.
CRI 2021.
Chart 4
Chart 2
Philippines Economic Losses in Millions
Philippines Total Fatalities and Ranking, 2015-2018
US$ PPP and Ranking, 2015-2018

Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch
Long-term CRI. This index is the result of annual Geographically, the country is located along the Pacific
averages from 2000 to 2019 based on the same region which is prone to tropical cyclones and storms.
indicators used in the 2019 CRI such as fatalities and Nepal and Bangladesh followed with total climate
economic losses plus the number of climate events. events of 191 and 185, respectively.
During the twenty-year period, the Philippines ranked
4th in the world with a CRI score of 18.17 (Chart 5). Fatalities. From 2000 to 2019, the country’s average
death toll per year was 859.35 (Table 1) or a rank of
The Philippines, Haiti and Pakistan are categorized in 7th in the index. Myanmar topped the list with fatalities
the CRI as countries that are continuously affected by reaching an average of 7,056.45 per year. Myanmar
extreme events. In the case of the Philippines, it was was struck hard by Typhoon Nargis in 2008, which was
regularly battered by strong typhoons including Bopha responsible for an estimated loss of 140,000 lives.
(Pablo) in 2012, Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013, Mangkhut
(Ompong) in 2018 and Vamco (Ulysses) in 2020. The Philippines ranked 16th in deaths per 100,000
inhabitants with an average ratio of 0.93 a year from
Chart 5
2000 to 2019 (Table 1). Myanmar ranked 1st globally
Long Term CRI: Most Affected Countries
2000-2019 Annual Average with a ratio of 14.35.
Table 1
Most Affected Countries
Annual Average Fatalities, 2000-2019
Deaths per 100,000
Country Death Toll
inhabitants
Puerto Rico 149.85 4.12
Myanmar 7,056.45 14.35
Haiti 274.05 2.78
Philippines 859.35 0.93
Mozambique 125.40 0.52
Bahamas 5.35 1.56
Bangladesh 572.50 0.38
Pakistan 502.45 0.30
Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch
Thailand 137.75 0.21
Nepal 217.15 0.82
Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch
Of the ten most affected countries in the period 2000
to 2019, seven are developing countries in the low Economic Losses. Extreme weather events cost
income or lower-middle income country group including the Philippines an average of US$ 3.2 billion per year
the Philippines. In relative terms, poorer developing during the period (Chart 7) or a rank of 8th in the index.
countries are hit much harder. The CRI emphasized the
Thailand and Puerto Rico posted the highest economic
vulnerability of poorer countries to climatic risks. Loss
losses among the top 10 most affected countries.
of life, personal hardships, and other threats are also
In 2004, Thailand was hit hard by the Indian Ocean
much more widespread in low-income countries.
tsunami, damaging coastal towns including hotels and
resorts popular to tourists. On the other hand, Hurricane
Weather Events. From 2000 to 2019, the Philippines
Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017.
experienced a total of 317 weather-related events (Chart
6), the highest among the most affected countries. Chart 7
Most Affected Countries Economic Losses in
Chart 6 Millions US$ PPP, 2000-2019 Annual Average
Total Number of Climate Events, 2000-2019

Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch Source: Global Climate Risk Index 2017-2021, Germanwatch