Surreal image of infant mortality in Greece during economic crisis

Austerity's Toll: How Economic Measures Impact Infant Health

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Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness May 2025 • 4 min read.

"Examining the link between fiscal austerity in Greece and a heartbreaking rise in infant mortality rates."


In times of economic hardship, governments often implement austerity measures—policies designed to reduce budget deficits through spending cuts and increased taxes. While these measures aim to stabilize the economy, their impact on public health, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, can be devastating. A recent study sheds light on the tragic consequences of austerity, revealing a disturbing link between fiscal austerity in Greece and a significant rise in infant mortality rates.

Before the financial crisis of 2009, Greece enjoyed one of the highest levels of public health in the OECD, with infant mortality rates well below the OECD average. However, as the country plunged into economic turmoil and implemented stringent austerity measures mandated by the Troika (the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund), this positive trend reversed, leading to a heartbreaking increase in infant deaths.

This article explores the findings of the study, examining how austerity measures in Greece impacted infant mortality rates, why these effects were more pronounced among boys, and what lessons we can learn about protecting public health during times of economic crisis.

The Unfolding Crisis: Austerity and Infant Mortality in Greece

Surreal image of infant mortality in Greece during economic crisis

The study, leveraging advanced statistical methods, compared Greece to a carefully selected pool of OECD and Mediterranean countries to create a "synthetic control" group. This approach allowed researchers to estimate what would have happened to infant mortality rates in Greece had the austerity measures not been implemented. The results were alarming.

Researchers found a clear and pervasive increase in infant mortality following the implementation of austerity measures. Compared to the synthetic control scenario, austerity policies were associated with a tragic derailment and permanent increase in infant mortality, continuing up to the present day. The cumulative infant mortality cost of these policies is estimated to exceed 10,000 infant deaths, or nearly 850 deaths for each year the austerity policies were in effect.

  • Salary cuts and layoffs among public employees
  • Reductions to minimum wages, pensions, and welfare payments
  • Cuts to investments and public consumption
  • Local administration reforms
  • Increased value-added tax (VAT)
  • Increases in specific fuel, tobacco, and alcohol taxes
  • Special levies on corporate profits
  • Increased taxes on real estate
  • Privatization of state assets
These measures weakened the capacity of the system to address social risks such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty while exacerbating structural problems in the healthcare system.

Lessons Learned: Protecting Infant Health in Economic Downturns

The Greek experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding public health, especially for infants, during economic crises. While austerity measures may be necessary to stabilize economies, policymakers must carefully consider their potential impact on vulnerable populations. Continuous investment in public health systems and preventive care is crucial to preserving low mortality rates and ensuring sustainable human development. Furthermore, mitigating the social risks associated with economic downturns, such as unemployment and poverty, can help buffer the negative effects on infant health.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What are austerity measures, and how were they implemented in the Greek context?

Austerity measures refer to governmental policies aimed at reducing budget deficits. These typically involve spending cuts and increased taxes. In Greece, such measures were implemented to stabilize the economy during a period of economic crisis. The article highlights how these measures, while intended to address economic issues, had a significant negative impact on public health and, specifically, infant mortality rates.

2

What specific findings from the study highlight the impact of austerity on infant mortality?

The study found a clear link between the implementation of austerity measures and a rise in infant mortality rates in Greece. Using a "synthetic control" group of OECD and Mediterranean countries, researchers estimated the infant mortality rates in Greece had the austerity measures not been implemented. The results indicated that the policies led to a tragic increase in infant deaths. The cumulative cost of these policies is estimated to exceed 10,000 infant deaths.

3

Who mandated the austerity measures in Greece, and what did these measures entail?

The Troika, consisting of the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, mandated the austerity measures in Greece. These measures included salary cuts, layoffs among public employees, reductions in wages and welfare payments, cuts to investments, tax increases, and the privatization of state assets. These measures weakened the system's capacity to address social risks, exacerbating the structural problems in the healthcare system.

4

What are the key takeaways regarding protecting infant health during economic downturns?

The findings underscore the importance of safeguarding public health, especially for infants, during economic crises. While austerity might be necessary to stabilize economies, policymakers must carefully consider their potential impact on vulnerable populations. Investing in public health systems and preventive care is crucial to preserving low mortality rates and ensuring sustainable human development. Mitigating social risks like unemployment and poverty is also vital to buffer the negative effects on infant health.

5

Why is this study on Greece's infant mortality rates significant?

This study is significant because it demonstrates the direct impact of economic policies on public health outcomes. The increase in infant mortality rates in Greece provides a case study of how austerity measures can affect the most vulnerable populations. The use of a "synthetic control" group allows for a comparison that highlights the impact of policy choices. The implications of these findings extend beyond Greece, offering valuable lessons for policymakers worldwide on the importance of balancing economic stability with public health considerations during times of economic hardship. The Greek experience shows how cuts in public spending and social services can have lasting effects on infant mortality.

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