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World Bank warns of AIDS economic crisis

    JOHANNESBURG

    Some African countries may face complete collapse as a reult of the economic impact of HIV/AIDS being far worse than was previously thought.

    The World Bank's newly-released "The Long-Run Economic Costs of AIDS," study has warned that HIV/AIDS could destroy an economy within a few generations.

    Shanta Devarajan, World Bank economist, said in a statement: "If nothing is done to avert the epidemic, countries like South Africa could suffer a 50 percent decline in their per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in about 90 years."

    Using decades of South African data as a basis, the study also found that most forecasts on the macroeconomic costs of HIV/AIDS had overlooked the long-term damage of the disease.

    "This report confirms how important it is for policymakers to act swiftly and effectively to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to treat those with the disease," the study's co-author, Clive Bell, confirmed.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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