Long COVID Projected to Cost OECD Countries €58.54 Billion to €115.3 Billion Annually Over Next Decade

Economic Projections for Long COVID Long COVID could cost between €58.

3 billion annually across OECD countries, including 21 EU member states, in the next decade, according to recent findings reported by Euronews. Projections to 2035 indicate that under optimistic assumptions, GDP losses from long COVID may fall to negligible levels. 2% of GDP.

2% from long COVID are comparable to the entire annual health budget of the Netherlands or Spain, the report stated. 5 billion a year until at least 2035. The continuing burden of long COVID arises mainly from reduced labour participation and productivity losses.

Health Impacts and Affected Populations Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus increases the risk of developing cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, neurological impairments, and autoimmune disorders, the report noted.

Long COVID can harm nearly every organ system, provoking symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and general pain. Less than 1% of the population of EU and OECD countries is expected to suffer from long COVID over the next 10 years. Around 75 million people had long COVID in 2021 worldwide.

In 2021, parts of Eastern and Central Europe were the most affected by long COVID. 2 million people in Czechia were living with long COVID.

Workforce and Socio-Economic Effects Patients with long COVID are dropping out of the workforce, absent, or less productive at work because of ill health, five years after the pandemic began.

Long COVID leads to employment disruption in around one in five affected workers. Chronic conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis generate most of their costs through healthcare spending and informal care. 8 billion a year, according to the OECD report.

If the estimated losses from long COVID were compared with the economic burden of stroke, the cost to Europe would be around €60 billion. Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have structured plans that outline the main steps in the care of patients with long COVID.