The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Long COVID cost the Australian economy almost $10 billion in 2022 – new research

  • Written by C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC L3 Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 10–20% of people[1] suffer from long COVID after they recover from the initial COVID infection.

Common symptoms include[2] fatigue, shortness of breath and “brain fog”, but more than 200 different symptoms have been linked to long COVID. The condition affects daily functioning and can be debilitating.

Our research, published today, estimated the economic burden of long COVID in Australia[3]. We calculated long COVID cost the Australian economy almost A$10 billion in 2022 alone.

What is long COVID?

The WHO defines long COVID[4] as the continuation or development of new symptoms three months after the initial COVID infection, where these symptoms last for at least two months with no other explanation.

We’re still learning about what causes long COVID, but persistent symptoms can be explained by the diverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) on different parts of the body[5]. For example, the virus can affect the heart[6], blood vessels and lungs.

Research suggests long COVID is linked to persistence of the virus in the body long after infection[7], and this in turn causes dysfunction of the immune system[8].

SARS-CoV-2 can also affect the brain and cognition[9], especially executive function, which is the ability to plan, monitor and execute goals. This can result in difficulty performing work tasks[10] and other activities of daily living among people with long COVID.

What we did

We used Australian data to estimate infections in 2022 and modelled long COVID and recovery rates across all age groups to understand the burden of long COVID.

We then used this data in a mathematical model to estimate economy-wide labour supply losses in 2022 and to determine the decline in real gross domestic product (GDP). Economic losses occur because people affected by long COVID may be unable to work, or work at reduced capacity, for a period of time.

We found that at a peak in September 2022, up to 1,374,805 people (5.4% of Australians) were living with long COVID following a single infection. Allowing for recovery from long COVID, up to 3.4% would still be living with long COVID after 12 months.

We estimated long COVID resulted in more than 100 million hours of lost labour in 2022. These lost employment hours translate to an economic cost of roughly $9.6 billion, equivalent to 0.5% of GDP for 2022.

Working-age adults between 30 and 49 were most affected. The estimated labour loss was greatest for people aged 30–39 (27.5 million hours, or 26.9% of total labour loss) who saw the highest overall numbers with long COVID of any age group. People aged 40–49 followed close behind, with an estimated 24.5 million hours lost, or 23.9% of total labour loss.

Higher numbers of long COVID in these younger age groups are likely because they experience more COVID infections, possibly because they are more mobile and mix more with others.

We did not include losses incurred by healthy employees who could not work due to caring for others with COVID or long COVID. Further, we only considered a single COVID infection, and the risk of developing long COVID thereafter. But we didn’t consider the risk from reinfections, which increase the likelihood[11] of long COVID. Therefore our research likely underestimates the impact of long COVID.

A man sitting at a computer appears stressed.
The symptoms of long COVID can make it difficult to work. PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock[12]

Long COVID affects people of all ages, and can occur regardless of the severity of their COVID infection. Widespread and ongoing COVID infections means if even only a small percentage of people develop long COVID, this is still a very large number of people.

By way of comparison, 2% of Australians[13] have coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of illness and death in Australia (and the world). Even if only 3.4% of people have ongoing long COVID, this imposes very large public health and economic costs.

And unlike coronary heart disease, which disproportionately affects older people, our study suggests the impact of long COVID is highest in working-age adults, which is why the economic impacts are so great.

A global trend

Many countries including the United States[14] and the United Kingdom are experiencing similar economic losses[15] due to long COVID, with rising numbers of people unable to work.

Recent estimates indicate roughly 400 million people[16] around the world have had long COVID. The condition may be costing US$1 trillion annually – equivalent to about 1%[17] of the global economy.

The weight of evidence around long COVID[18] and its impact on population health has experts calling for the condition to be factored into policy decisions.

A young woman sitting at a desk looking out the window.
Long COVID is prevalent in younger people. DimaBerlin/Shutterstock[19]

What can we do?

In Australia, it’s primarily the immediate outcomes of acute COVID, such as hospitalisation and death, which are used to determine eligibility for antivirals and the importance of vaccines. Healthy people under 70 are not eligible for subsidised antivirals[20], while vaccines are restricted for children[21] and adult booster rates are low[22].

But there’s strong evidence vaccines[23] reduce the likelihood of long COVID, and some evidence antivirals[24] may also lower the risk. Long COVID should therefore be factored into Australian policy and guidance on antivirals and vaccines.

Other measures that reduce the risk of COVID infection will also reduce long COVID risk. These include a focus on safe indoor air[25], and mask use in high-risk, crowded places during COVID epidemics[26], especially in health-care and aged-care settings.

Finally, we need to consider how to support those with long COVID[27] who can’t work. Long COVID is the sting in the tail of SARS-CoV-2, and planning proactively for it will reduce the impacts on society.

References

  1. ^ 10–20% of people (www.who.int)
  2. ^ symptoms include (www.who.int)
  3. ^ long COVID in Australia (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  4. ^ long COVID (www.who.int)
  5. ^ different parts of the body (www.science.org)
  6. ^ heart (academic.oup.com)
  7. ^ long after infection (www.thelancet.com)
  8. ^ the immune system (www.science.org)
  9. ^ cognition (alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  10. ^ work tasks (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ increase the likelihood (www.nature.com)
  12. ^ PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  13. ^ 2% of Australians (www.heartfoundation.org.au)
  14. ^ United States (journals.plos.org)
  15. ^ similar economic losses (www.ft.com)
  16. ^ 400 million people (doi.org)
  17. ^ about 1% (doi.org)
  18. ^ long COVID (www.nature.com)
  19. ^ DimaBerlin/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  20. ^ subsidised antivirals (www.health.gov.au)
  21. ^ restricted for children (www.health.gov.au)
  22. ^ booster rates are low (www.sbs.com.au)
  23. ^ vaccines (www.thelancet.com)
  24. ^ antivirals (jamanetwork.com)
  25. ^ safe indoor air (www.croakey.org)
  26. ^ during COVID epidemics (journals.asm.org)
  27. ^ long COVID (www.abc.net.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/long-covid-cost-the-australian-economy-almost-10-billion-in-2022-new-research-236948

Times Magazine

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

The Times Features

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifes...