28th March 2026
Gender-based violence is often framed as a social crisis or a moral failing—and rightly so. But focusing only on its human toll risks overlooking another critical dimension: its profound and persistent economic consequences. Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) makes clear that violence is not just a personal tragedy; it is also an economic force that shapes lives, labour markets, and long-term inequality.
At the individual level, the effects are immediate and enduring. Survivors of violence often experience a sharp decline in their ability to work, alongside reduced earnings and deteriorating mental health. What is striking is not just the severity of these impacts, but their persistence. The damage is not confined to weeks or months after the event—it can reshape economic trajectories for years, even decades. In this sense, violence acts as a form of economic scarring, limiting opportunities and constraining future potential.
Yet the consequences do not stop with the individual. Gender-based violence generates ripple effects that spread through families and communities. Parents of victims experience declines in wellbeing, while peers—such as classmates—also show signs of worsening mental health. These spillovers highlight an important reality: violence is not an isolated occurrence but a social shock with wide-reaching consequences.
Perhaps most concerning are the intergenerational effects. Children exposed to violence in the home suffer measurable setbacks in both cognitive and socio-emotional development. These early disadvantages can translate into poorer educational outcomes, weaker labour market prospects, and reduced lifetime earnings. In this way, gender-based violence helps to reproduce inequality across generations, embedding disadvantage long into the future.
From a macroeconomic perspective, the implications are equally serious. When large numbers of individuals are unable to fully participate in the workforce, overall productivity declines. Lost earnings, reduced employment, and increased health costs accumulate, placing a drag on economic growth. Gender-based violence, therefore, is not only a violation of rights—it is also a barrier to economic efficiency and prosperity.
Importantly, the IFS research also points to the role of policy. Stronger institutions, better support systems, and more effective legal responses can mitigate both the incidence of violence and its economic consequences. This suggests that addressing gender-based violence is not simply a matter of social justice, but also of sound economic policy.
Ultimately, reframing gender-based violence as an economic issue does not diminish its human significance—it amplifies it. It reveals the full scale of the problem: a force that damages lives, disrupts families, and weakens economies. Tackling it, therefore, is not only the right thing to do morally, but also essential for building a more productive and equitable society.
Read the IFS report 27 March 2026 HERE