Signal Violence costs $20 trillion a year with high claimed returns to prevention

Summary

This signal puts a price on violence and on the payoff from preventing it. UNDP reports that the global economic impact of violence reached $20 trillion in 2024, equivalent to 12% of global GDP. Against that cost, it cites estimates that each dollar put into prevention, through economic stability and strong institutions, can avoid between $26 and $103 in conflict-related costs. The figures come amid record levels of conflict, 59 active state-based wars and a sharp fall in peace agreements. The argument implied is that prevention is far cheaper than response, even as aid budgets shrink and defence spending rises.