The report covers the entire population of Sweden and is based on national statistics, registry data and public sources.
For 2024, the total cost amounted to approximately SEK 25.7 billion. This includes, among other things, loss of production due to sick leave and healthcare costs.
“The real cost is probably significantly higher than the official statistics show,” says Niklas Arnberg, professor of virology at Umeå University and secretary general of the Virus and Pandemic Foundation.
In Sweden, the most common viral respiratory diseases are colds, flu, COVID-19, ear and sinus infections, and pneumonia. The report includes all costs, regardless of whether they are borne by individuals, employers, or public actors.
"There is still a lack of antiviral drugs and vaccines against the majority of known viral infections. At the same time, existing vaccines and drugs are being used insufficiently," says Arnberg.
