Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 23: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was associated with global economic welfare losses of $3.5 trillion in 2021, equivalent to 2.25% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to research presented at IDWeek 2026.
Of the total losses, $835 billion, or 0.54% of global GDP, was directly attributable to antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the economic impact of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Researchers assessed the global burden using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 MICROBE tool, alongside GDP and population data. The analysis covered 21 regions, 12 infectious syndromes and 22 bacterial pathogens.
Using a standardised Value of Lost Welfare framework, the researchers estimated that AMR accounted for 42.6 million attributable DALYs and was associated with 177.7 million DALYs worldwide. The attributable burden represents the additional impact specifically caused by resistance, while the associated burden includes the wider impact of infections involving resistant organisms.
Bloodstream and respiratory infections accounted for nearly three-quarters of the economic losses directly attributable to AMR. Bloodstream infections alone contributed an estimated $355 billion in indirect economic losses, representing 42.5% of the total attributable burden.
Six bacterial pathogens accounted for approximately 82% of the losses directly attributable to antimicrobial resistance. Klebsiella pneumoniae contributed $130 billion, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae at $122 billion, Acinetobacter baumannii at $120 billion, Escherichia coli at $117 billion, Staphylococcus aureus at $115 billion and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at $75 billion.
Gram-negative bacteria were responsible for more than 60% of the attributable economic losses, underscoring their significant contribution to the global burden of drug-resistant infections.
In absolute terms, South Asia recorded the highest economic losses at $101 billion, followed by East Asia at $82 billion and high-income North America at $70 billion. Western sub-Saharan Africa experienced the greatest proportional burden, with losses equivalent to 1.42% of its regional GDP.
The findings highlight the need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship, improve diagnostic facilities, expand vaccination, enhance infection prevention and ensure equitable access to antibiotics.
The substantial burden associated with bloodstream and respiratory infections also points to the importance of targeted interventions to prevent and treat drug-resistant bacterial infections.