Haze costs Singapore $2.32b in 2026, surpassing 2015 despite fewer hazy days
Singapore's 2026 haze episode resulted in an estimated economic cost of $2.32 billion. Two university researchers found this exceeds the inflation-adjusted cost of the 2015 crisis. This occurred even though there were fewer hazy days and lower average pollution levels. The higher financial impact is attributed to population growth and rising incomes. Increased visitor spending and a larger estimated economy also contributed to the losses.
SINGAPORE, Nov 8 — Singapore’s 2026 haze episode has cost its economy an estimated $2.32 billion, exceeding the inflation-adjusted cost of the 2015 crisis despite fewer hazy days and lower average pollution levels, according to a preliminary assessment by two university researchers.The estimated losses as at October 31 were about four per cent higher than the inflation-adjusted $2.23 billion estimated for 2015, Singapore’s The Business Times reported.The assessment, by Nanyang Technological University’s Euston Quah and Singapore University of Social Sciences’ Eugene Or, attributed the higher cost to population growth, rising incomes, increased visitor spending and a greater estimated health burden.Health-related costs, including medical treatment and the economic impact of illness and premature deaths, were higher than in 2015, as were tourism losses.However, losses from time taken off work and other activities due to illness, along with spending on protective measures such as masks, declined because of the shorter and less severe haze episode.