Explore the hottest cities in the world where locals endure extreme heat without air conditioning.
Imagine sweltering under the blazing sun in one of the world’s hottest cities—without the relief of air conditioning. For millions of people, this is a daily reality as they adapt to extreme temperatures with creative solutions and sheer resilience. Here are 15 of the hottest cities in the world where air conditioning is still a rare luxury.
1. Jacobabad, Pakistan experiences some of the highest temperatures on Earth.
Jacobabad, Pakistan, is notorious for its scorching heat, with summer temperatures often exceeding 120°F (49°C). This city is one of the hottest inhabited places on the planet, where many residents endure life without air conditioning due to poverty and energy shortages. People rely on traditional cooling methods like wet cloths, shaded courtyards, and hand fans to cope. Despite the intense heat, the community continues to adapt, showcasing remarkable resilience in one of the most challenging environments.
2. Kuwait City, Kuwait combines high heat with widespread air conditioning gaps.
Kuwait City regularly experiences summer temperatures above 115°F (46°C), making it one of the hottest capitals in the world. While air conditioning is common in affluent neighborhoods and businesses, many lower-income residents, particularly migrant workers, lack access to this luxury. These individuals often work outdoors under the blistering sun, relying on hydration and shaded areas for relief. The disparity in cooling availability highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in this sweltering urban environment.
3. Basra, Iraq endures relentless heat waves with limited cooling options.
Basra, Iraq, often records temperatures above 120°F (49°C) during the summer months. The city suffers from frequent power outages, leaving many homes and businesses without functioning air conditioning. Residents have turned to alternative methods, such as using ice blocks and shaded communal spaces, to survive the extreme heat. Basra’s oppressive climate, combined with limited resources, underscores the resilience of its people as they face unrelenting summer heat year after year.
4. Churu, India faces extreme desert heat without widespread AC availability.
Known as the “Gateway to the Thar Desert,” Churu, India, is infamous for its blistering heat, with temperatures often surpassing 118°F (48°C). Despite the extreme conditions, air conditioning remains a rarity due to its high cost and inconsistent electricity supply. Locals use traditional architecture, such as thick mud walls and small windows, to keep their homes cool. Additionally, community water tanks and hand fans play a crucial role in helping residents endure the intense heat.
5. Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran combines heat and humidity for unbearable conditions.
Bandar-e Mahshahr, Iran, is not only one of the hottest cities but also one of the most humid. Heat indices here have reached a staggering 165°F (74°C), making outdoor activities nearly impossible. While wealthier households have air conditioning, many residents lack access to cooling systems due to frequent power outages and high costs. Locals often retreat indoors during peak heat and rely on fans and traditional cooling techniques to survive the oppressive conditions.
6. Timbuktu, Mali sees extreme desert heat with minimal cooling solutions.
Timbuktu, Mali, located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, experiences summer temperatures exceeding 110°F (43°C). Air conditioning is virtually nonexistent for most residents due to economic constraints and limited infrastructure. People depend on natural ventilation and shaded outdoor spaces to stay cool. Timbuktu’s unique adobe architecture, designed to keep homes insulated, provides some relief. Despite the harsh climate, the city remains a cultural and historical hub, showcasing the resilience of its people.
7. Karachi, Pakistan faces deadly heat waves with inadequate cooling.
Karachi, Pakistan, regularly experiences deadly heat waves, with temperatures reaching up to 113°F (45°C). While air conditioning is available in some areas, frequent power outages and high costs make it inaccessible to many. The city’s densely populated neighborhoods amplify the heat, creating dangerous conditions. Nonprofits and community groups often set up hydration stations and shaded areas to help residents cope. Karachi’s challenges highlight the urgent need for sustainable cooling solutions in rapidly urbanizing regions.
8. Mecca, Saudi Arabia combines intense heat with vast crowds.
As one of the holiest cities in Islam, Mecca sees millions of pilgrims each year, even during the scorching summer months when temperatures often exceed 115°F (46°C). While some modern facilities offer air conditioning, many pilgrims and local residents endure the heat with little cooling assistance. Shade tents, water misting systems, and hydration stations are commonly used to provide relief. The city’s extreme climate presents unique challenges for both locals and visitors.
9. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso is a hot, arid city with limited cooling infrastructure.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, experiences temperatures above 104°F (40°C) during its long dry season. With air conditioning largely unavailable due to high costs and limited electricity, residents rely on shaded courtyards, water basins, and natural ventilation to stay cool. Traditional clay homes provide some insulation from the heat. Despite the lack of modern cooling systems, the city’s vibrant culture and community spirit help residents navigate the challenging climate.
10. Phoenix, United States struggles with affordability gaps in cooling.
Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the hottest cities in the U.S., with summer temperatures frequently reaching 110°F (43°C) or higher. While air conditioning is standard in most homes, many low-income residents struggle to afford the high energy costs associated with cooling. Homeless populations are particularly vulnerable during heat waves. Local governments and nonprofits often step in to provide cooling centers and water distribution, but the city’s extreme heat remains a significant public health concern.
11. Niamey, Niger experiences relentless desert heat without modern cooling.
Niamey, Niger, is regularly exposed to temperatures above 108°F (42°C), making it one of the hottest cities in Africa. Air conditioning is rare due to widespread poverty and limited electricity. Residents rely on traditional mud-brick homes and shaded communal areas to mitigate the heat. The lack of modern cooling infrastructure highlights the difficulties faced by the city’s population in adapting to the harsh desert environment.
12. Delhi, India combines extreme heat with urban challenges.
Delhi, India, endures searing summer temperatures that often exceed 113°F (45°C). While air conditioning is becoming more common in affluent areas, many residents, especially in slums, lack access to this luxury. The city’s high population density and pollution worsen the heat’s impact, creating dangerous conditions during heat waves. Community cooling initiatives, such as water sprinklers and shaded areas, are critical in helping vulnerable populations cope.
13. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia experiences intense coastal heat and humidity.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, faces a unique combination of high temperatures and coastal humidity, with summer heat often exceeding 113°F (45°C). While air conditioning is widespread in wealthier neighborhoods, many migrant workers and lower-income residents lack access to cooling. The city’s reliance on outdoor labor during the hottest months exacerbates the risks of heat-related illnesses.
14. Bangkok, Thailand combines heat and humidity with limited cooling in rural areas.
Bangkok, Thailand, is known for its tropical climate, with temperatures consistently hovering around 95°F (35°C) but feeling much hotter due to high humidity. While urban areas have ample air conditioning, rural and suburban communities often lack access. Residents in these areas rely on fans and traditional cooling methods, such as water basins and shaded patios, to combat the sweltering heat.
15. Dhaka, Bangladesh struggles with overcrowding and intense heat.
Dhaka, Bangladesh, faces severe heat waves with temperatures reaching up to 104°F (40°C). The city’s dense population and limited infrastructure amplify the effects of the heat, creating health risks for vulnerable communities. While air conditioning is available in wealthier areas, the majority of residents rely on fans, shade, and hydration to cope. The challenges of urban heat are further compounded by frequent power outages, making cooling even less accessible.