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

Hanly, Paul, Ahern, Michelle, Sharp, Linda, Ursul, Diana and Loughnane, Gerard M. (2021) The cost of lost productivity due to premature mortality associated with COVID-19: a Pan-European study. The European Journal of Health Economics, 23 (2). pp. 249-259. ISSN 1618-7601

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	COVID-19; Europe; Premature mortality; Productivity loss; Economic burden; Human capital
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D901 Europe (General) H Social Sciences > Economics > Microeconomics > Production (Economic theory) > Industrial productivity > Labor productivity
Divisions:	School of Business > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2021 10:20
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2022 17:58
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5054

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