Conference Paper
Are Egypt’s Elderly Prepared for A Warmer Future? Studying The Nexus Between Climate Change and the Wellbeing of Elderly in Egypt
No.
ERF32AC_99
Publisher
ERF
Date
May, 2026
Topic
Q5. Environmental Economics
Egypt is warming rapidly, raising concerns about the vulnerability of its growing elderly population. This study examines how short- and long-term climate exposures shape the wellbeing of older adults by linking district-level temperature, humidity, and precipitation data with individual responses from the 2023 Egypt Labour Market Panel Survey (ELMPS). The results show that short-term increases in maximum temperature and humidity significantly reduce mental wellbeing, with an amplified adverse effect when both rise concurrently. Long-term exposure to persistently high temperatures and humidity also imposes a chronic burden, while precipitation has no measurable influence. Spatial modelling reveals minimal residual geographic clustering once climate, demographic, and health factors are accounted for, indicating that remaining contextual influences are highly localized. The findings underscore the need for climate-sensitive public health measures, including heat warnings, improved indoor cooling, and pollution reduction, to protect older Egyptians as climate variability intensifies.
Authors
Amira Elayouty
Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, Faculty of...
Research Fellows
Hala Abou-Ali
Head, Economics Department, Faculty of Economics and...