Quantifying the economic burden of road traffic injuries in South Asia: a human capital approach

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a major public health issue in South Asia, with significant contributions to mortality and morbidity in the region. Despite ongoing efforts to mitigate their impact, RTIs continue to place a heavy strain on the health systems and economies of South Asian countries. In this study, we quantified the economic burden of RTIs in eight South Asian countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka—by estimating the monetary value of years of life lost (MVYLL) due to premature mortality from RTIs. Methods: We utilized the Human Capital Approach (HCA) to calculate MVYLL resulting from RTIs related deaths in 2021, using number of deaths data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021 and country-specific economic data (Gross Domestic Product and Government Health Expenditure) from the World Health Organization’s Global Health Expenditure Database (WHO-GHED). We also performed sensitivity analyses to assess the effects of varying discount rates and life expectancy assumptions on the estimates. Results: India bore the largest share of the economic burden, with an estimated MVYLL of 12.33 billion USD, followed by Pakistan (1.37 billion USD) and Bangladesh (701 million USD). The highest burden was observed in the 15-29 years age group, reflecting the loss of life among younger populations. Females accounted for a disproportionate share of the total MVYLL across the countries. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our estimates, with minimal variations based on different assumptions. Conclusion: RTIs represent a substantial economic burden on South Asia, particularly for younger, Female populations. Our findings highlight the urgent need for stronger road safety policies, targeted public health interventions, and improvements in healthcare infrastructure. Addressing the economic and public health challenges posed by RTIs is crucial for reducing premature mortality and excess morbidity in the region.