Study Warns: Antibiotic Resistance May Kill Millions by Mid-Century

A UK government-funded report has raised alarms about the global threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), predicting that superbugs could lead to over $1.7 trillion in lost global GDP every year by 2050.

The study, conducted by the Center for Global Development, outlines how recent aid budget cuts, particularly by the U.S., UK, and EU, may accelerate resistance to antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries, where treatment programs are most vulnerable.

This could not only overwhelm fragile healthcare systems but also lead to ripple effects in high-income nations, including rising treatment costs, declining productivity, and shrinking workforces.

The U.S. alone could see up to $57 billion in added health expenses per year, while 1.3 million Americans may die annually from superbug infections. China, the U.S., and the EU are expected to suffer the largest economic losses.

The report urges governments to invest in new antibiotics, infection control, and awareness campaigns to prevent a global health and economic disaster.