Depression Could Cost Morocco More Than 21 Billion Dollars

The cumulative economic cost of depression in Morocco could reach 21.232 billion dollars between 2025 and 2050, according to an international study covering 154 countries.

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The projection comes with a margin of uncertainty. Depending on the scenarios selected by the researchers, the loss for the Kingdom could range between 16.47 and 27.25 billion dollars, expressed in 2024 value.

According to the study published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine, this burden would represent an average of approximately 0.504% of Morocco’s gross domestic product over the period studied.

Per capita, the cumulative cost would reach approximately 493 dollars per person between 2025 and 2050. This figure does not mean that every Moroccan would lose this amount each year.

The researchers assessed the effects of depression on labor market participation, absenteeism, professional experience and productivity. They also included treatment expenses borne by households, insurers and public authorities.

Work accounts for most of the losses

Most of the estimated cost does not correspond to hospital expenses or a bill paid directly by the state. It mainly results from the reduced work capacity of affected individuals.

Depression can lead to repeated absences, make it difficult to perform usual tasks, cause people to leave the labor market or permanently reduce productivity.

Healthcare expenses may also reduce the money available for savings and investment. However, their impact would remain lower than the losses caused by the reduction in the available workforce.

Worldwide, depression could result in nearly 12,000 billion dollars in cumulative economic losses between 2025 and 2050, or approximately 0.46% of global GDP over this period.

The authors also point to certain limitations, particularly differences between countries in the reporting of symptoms and access to treatment.

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Nevertheless, the study shows that prevention, early detection and better access to mental healthcare could generate significant economic benefits by limiting absences, exits from the labor market and productivity losses.