Economic Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in Georgia: A Critical Comparison with Global Experience and Structural Risks

The economic burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Georgia today represents not only a challenge for the healthcare system but also one of the most severe threats to the country’s economic stability and social well-being. This is precisely the focus of the 2025 academic study by Nino Mikava and Simon Gabritchidze, “Economic Burden and Policy Gaps in Noncommunicable Disease Management in Georgia: A Health Economics Perspective,” which provides one of the most comprehensive analyses of how NCD prevalence affects Georgia’s economy, labour market, and social structures. According to the study, 93–97% of all deaths in Georgia are linked to NCDs—particularly cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions. Even more alarming is the fact that Georgia spends only 2.7% of its GDP on healthcare, while the European average is nearly twice as high.

The authors emphasize that more than half of all healthcare spending in Georgia comes directly from households, increasing poverty risks, reducing access to preventive services, and forcing families to seek medical help only after critical delays. 71% of survey respondents reported that their condition could have been prevented had financial resources, travel barriers from rural regions, or distrust toward local physicians not impeded early diagnosis. Focus group participants highlighted the powerful role of psychological stigma, which delays help-seeking and suppresses social support. The study also reveals a heavy, largely invisible burden placed on caregivers: 62% receive no support from the state, and many—especially women—leave paid employment to care for loved ones, resulting in loss of income, reduced productivity, and emotional exhaustion.

Globally, Georgia’s situation is not unique, but its severity exceeds that of many comparable countries. According to WHO, NCDs cost the world approximately USD 47 trillion every year, about 5% of global GDP. In Europe alone, there are 1.8 million preventable NCD-related deaths annually, with a staggering USD 514.5 billion in economic losses. The burden is disproportionately heavy in low- and middle-income countries, where prevention is underfunded, states lack financial protection mechanisms, and treatment largely depends on household income.

International experience reinforces the critical importance of prevention. In India, mass screening programmes generated a return of USD 3 for every USD 1 invested. In Kenya and Rwanda, lifestyle and preventive programmes reduced cardiovascular disease expenditure by 20%. In South America, the macroeconomic burden of NCDs between 2020–2050 is estimated to reach USD 7.3 trillion. Meanwhile, in GCC countries, NCDs cause losses exceeding USD 50 billion annually, equalling 3.3% of GDP in some economies.

A key global lesson is that prevention is far cheaper than treatment. WHO estimates that a basic package of preventive measures costs USD 3–6 per capita, whereas managing a chronic disease costs USD 250–600 annually. Successful countries also recognize caregivers as essential economic actors who require training, respite, and financial assistance—contrasting sharply with Georgia, where this sector is almost entirely unaddressed. Telemedicine has proven one of the most effective tools globally, reducing regional inequality in access by 30–40%, while Georgia has only partially leveraged this potential.

Taken together, these findings show that managing non-communicable diseases in Georgia is not merely a medical issue; it is a critical component of economic development, social policy, and labour market sustainability. Investment in health is not a cost—it is a high-return capital investment, enhancing productivity, reducing unnecessary public expenses, and protecting human capital. For Georgia, long-term national interest requires strengthening preventive programmes, supporting caregivers, expanding telemedicine, and reducing regional inequalities.

This article was prepared by BTUAI, based on the academic study “Economic Burden and Policy Gaps in Noncommunicable Disease Management in Georgia: A Health Economics Perspective” (Mikava N., Gabritchidze S., 2025) and additional international sources.