The economic burden and costs of suicide and self-harm in Sweden.

backgroundSuicide and self-harm represent a major public health challenge with significant human and economic consequences. Quantifying its economic burden is essential for guiding preventive strategies and resource allocation.

methodsThis study estimated the societal costs of suicide and self-harm in Sweden in 2022 using data from high-quality national registries and publicly available sources. Costs encompassed direct costs (healthcare, emergency services, property damage) and indirect costs calculated using the human capital approach (productivity losses due to morbidity and premature death). Additionally, a monetary value for disability and death based on incidence data was used to monetize the burden of disease.

resultsThe total annual economic burden of suicide and self-harm in Sweden was substantial, amounting to approximately €970 million. Productivity losses from paid work represented the largest cost component, accounting for 67% of total costs, highlighting the considerable impact on the working-age population. When the monetary value of premature death and disability was estimated separately using a health-based valuation approach, the total burden increased to approximately €2.7 billion. Given the conservative assumptions applied in several components of the analysis, these estimates are likely to understate the true societal burden of suicide and self-harm.

conclusionsSuicide and self-harm impose a significant economic burden on Swedish society. Strengthening mental health services, workplace prevention programs, and postvention support could reduce both human suffering and societal costs. These findings provide valuable evidence to inform policymakers and stakeholders in designing cost-effective prevention strategies.