Productivity losses due to health problems arising from COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review of population-level studies worldwide

Abstract

Aim: To systematically review the evidence on productivity losses due to health problems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic based on evidence from population-level studies. Methods: Following PRISMA statement, we conducted a systematic review using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, EconLit, WHO COVID-19 Research and EuropePMC databases and a grey literature search. We included population-level studies using secondary data and qualitatively assessed eligible studies. For a quantitative cross-study comparison, we calculated losses in 2020 international dollars and as a share of gross domestic product. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023478059. Results: 38 studies were eligible for review. Most of the studies reported losses in high-income countries and the European region. COVID-19 was a focus of 33 studies while 3 studies investigated losses from both long COVID and excess mortality. The Human Capital Approach dominated (30 studies) and no study used the Friction Cost Approach. Most of the studies (84%) reported on premature mortality losses and a quarter provided estimates of absenteeism losses. Of the 33 studies eligible for quantitative comparison, we found that the productivity losses ranged from 0% to 2.1% of gross domestic product; the greatest losses were in the high-income countries and for those aged 40-59 years; and losses among men contributed to around 3/4 of the total burden. Conclusion: The available evidence on the topic is limited, particularly considering the methodological approaches used. Thus, more research is needed to reach a more comprehensive picture of economy-level productivity losses resulting from the recent pandemic.