The economic burden of COVID-19 in a region withstringent response measures: A case study of Taiwan

Elise Chia-Hui Tan, Department of Health Service Administration, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Ming-Chin Yang, Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, TaiwanFollow

Keywords

COVID-19, Cost of illness, Economic burden, Public health policy, Taiwan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a signiﬁcant economic burden globally, particularly in regions with stringentresponse measures. This study aimed to assess the economic impact of COVID-19 in Taiwan, focusing on both directand indirect costs. A cost-of-illness analysis was conducted, utilizing data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control(CDC), national databases, epidemiological studies, and economic surveys. The analysis included both direct costs (e.g.,hospital admissions, outpatient care) and indirect costs (e.g., productivity losses due to long COVID, absenteeism, caregiving duties). The study encompassed Taiwan's population of 23.2 million, with particular attention to age-speciﬁc impacts on economic outcomes. The total economic burden of COVID-19 in Taiwan was estimated at USD 4431 million.Direct costs accounted for 24.40 % (USD 1081 million), while indirect costs constituted 75.60 % (USD 3350 million. Theworking age population bore the majority of this burden, with 88.68 % (USD 3090 million) of total costs attributed tothis group. Long COVID signiﬁcantly contributed to the economic impact, causing a 35 % reduction in productivity.Sensitivity analysis revealed that the frequency of outpatient visits among working age and elderly cohorts was acritical factor inﬂuencing overall costs. The study underscores the substantial economic burden of stringent COVID-19policies in Taiwan, highlighting that indirect costs were nearly three times higher than direct costs. The ﬁndingsemphasize the need for resilient healthcare systems and support for affected workers, particularly in regions withsimilar response strategies. The methodological approach offers insights that could be applied to other regions facing similar challenges.

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Recommended Citation

Tan, Elise Chia-Hui; Hsiao, Fei-Yuan; and Yang, Ming-Chin (2025) "The economic burden of COVID-19 in a region withstringent response measures: A case study of Taiwan," Journal of Food and Drug Analysis: Vol. 33 : Iss. 3 , Article 11.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3558