Global paid and unpaid productivity losses due to cancer-related mortality

Cancer is among the most important causes of premature deaths globally. We estimated the value of paid and unpaid productivity losses due to premature mortality in 2022 from all cancers worldwide.

Years of productive life lost were derived from cancer mortality data for 36 cancer types among people of working age (15-64 years) in 185 countries for the year 2022. Paid productivity losses were estimated using the human capital approach, while unpaid activities were valued using the opportunity cost approach. Lost productivity was estimated using wages, workforce statistics, and time spent on unpaid activities from various sources. All analyses were performed by sex and age group for each country.

In 2022, productivity losses from premature cancer mortality were valued at an estimated US$566 billion, equivalent to 0.6% of the global gross domestic product. Of the total value, 53.9% (US$305 billion) was attributable to paid productivity losses, and 46.1% (US$260 billion) to unpaid productivity losses. Paid productivity losses were generally higher among men, while unpaid productivity losses were greater among women, with variations seen across world regions. The total value of lost productivity was greatest for lung cancer, followed by breast and liver cancers. Per cancer death, testicular cancer, melanoma of the skin, and brain and nervous system cancer generated the highest value of productivity losses.

The substantial value of productivity losses from premature cancer mortality highlights its marked societal burden. Continuous investments in global cancer control efforts, including in less common cancers, will yield substantial returns-on-investment to national economies, especially in transitioning countries.