OECD: Assessing the macroeconomic and fiscal effects of non‑communicable diseases (16 September 2026)

Summary

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) impose substantial costs on economies by reducing workforce participation and productivity, increasing healthcare expenditure and affecting public finances. Quantifying these costs helps policymakers assess the potential economic and fiscal gains from public health policies that reduce the burden of NCDs. The OECD Health Working Paper assesses how NCDs affect public expenditure, including healthcare, pensions and other age-related spending. Applied to four major NCDs across 49 OECD, EU and G20 countries, this enhanced framework provides a more comprehensive assessment of their burden on GDP and public finances.

World Patient Safety Day on the 17 September 2026 is focused on the theme “Safe care for non-communicable diseases”.