Socio-economic sensitivity to weather extremes: A scoping review of European research

Status: Under review at Nature Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

Abstract

While a growing body of research has examined the economic and social consequences of extreme weather, few attempts have been made to collate this evidence into a coherent map. This scoping review addresses this gap by providing the first systematic mapping of research on the socio-economic sensitivity of European regions to short-run weather shocks. Following a PRISMA-ScR protocol, we search Scopus and Web of Science, identifying 77 eligible articles published between 2000 and 2025. We analyse how studies define and measure weather shocks and socio-economic outcomes, the data and methods they employ, the sectors and regions they cover, as well as the associated impacts across sectors and the channels they operate through. Our review finds that weather shocks are consistently associated with reduced output growth, increased heat-related mortality, rising inflationary pressures, and greater inequality, with effects varying by region, sector, and income level. However, we also identify significant gaps in spatial resolution, sectoral coverage, and methodological diversity. By mapping the existing evidence and its limitations, this review provides a structured foundation for future research on weather-related socio-economic risk in Europe.

Keywords

• Extreme weather
• Socio-economic impacts
• Climate change
• Europe
• Scoping review

Suggested Citation

Dhruv Akshay Pandit, Miguel de Castro Neto, Paulo M.M Rodrigues et al. Socio-economic sensitivity to weather extremes: A scoping review of European research, 09 April 2026, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8612077/v1]