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. 2022 Mar;23(2):249-259.
doi: 10.1007/s10198-021-01351-8. Epub 2021 Aug 21.

The cost of lost productivity due to premature mortality associated with COVID-19: a Pan-European study

Paul Hanly  1 , Michelle Ahern  2 , Linda Sharp  3 , Diana Ursul  2 , Gerard Loughnane  2
Affiliations

The cost of lost productivity due to premature mortality associated with COVID-19: a Pan-European study

Paul Hanly et al. Eur J Health Econ. 2022 Mar.

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Economic cost estimates have the potential to provide a valuable alternative perspective on the COVID-19 burden. We estimate the premature mortality productivity costs associated with COVID-19 across Europe.

Methods: We calculated excess deaths between the date the cumulative total of COVID-19 deaths reached 10 in a country to 15th May 2020 for nine countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). Gender- and age-specific excess deaths and Years of Potential Productive Life Lost (YPPLL) between 30 and 74 years were calculated and converted into premature mortality productivity costs €2020 for paid and unpaid work using the Human Capital and the Proxy Good Approaches. Costs were discounted at 3.5%.

Results: Total estimated excess deaths across the nine countries were 18,614 (77% in men) and YPPLL were 134,190 (77% male). Total paid premature mortality costs were €1.07 billion (87% male) with Spain (€0.35 billion, 33.0% of total), Italy (€0.22 billion; 20.6%) and The Netherlands (€0.19 billion; 17.5%) ranking highest. Total paid and unpaid premature mortality costs were €2.89 billion (77% male). Premature mortality costs per death ranged between €40,382 (France) and €350,325 (Switzerland). Spain experienced the highest premature mortality cost as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (0.11%).

Conclusion: Even in the initial period of the pandemic in Europe, COVID-19-related premature mortality costs were significant across Europe. We provide policy makers and researchers with a valuable alternative perspective on the burden of the virus and highlight potential economic savings that may be accrued by applying timely public health measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; Economic burden; Europe; Human capital; Premature mortality; Productivity loss.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Paid and unpaid premature mortality costs (€2020) due to excess mortality by country, gender and age following initial country outbreak* to 22nd May 2020
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Paid and unpaid premature mortality costs due to excess mortality compared to Quarter 2 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (%) by country for 2019
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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