Global Workplace Injuries Have Cost Trillions
A new report highlights a major disparity in work-related harm between wealthy nations and developing economies.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Employment
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The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reported that 395 million people suffer work-related injuries annually. These incidents account for a staggering 6% of global GDP losses as workplace safety disparities persist across international borders.
Why it matters
Poorer nations often lack the necessary safety infrastructure and legal protections to safeguard employees. Richer countries frequently offshore hazardous work to these regions, where informal labor in mining and agriculture remains high.
Work-related injuries cause $750 billion in potential annual economic losses globally. More than six in 10 workers have never received occupational safety training, while fewer than half of International Labour Organization member states have up-to-date policies.
The players
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
This organization is a leading charity dedicated to accident prevention and safety education across the United Kingdom and internationally.
International Labour Organization
This United Nations agency is responsible for setting international labor standards and promoting social and economic justice.
The details
Data from the World Risk Poll shows the Western Pacific region leads with a 37% harm rate, while the Americas and Europe report 21%. Closing this safety gap could save up to two million lives every year.
Timeline
Data for the World Risk Poll was collected throughout 2023.
The reporting period for worker experiences of harm covers the last two years.
Macro View
The report's findings regarding global injury disparities extend the reach of the International Labour Organization's Decent Work Agenda by highlighting critical gaps in safety infrastructure.
Workers in lower-income regions face significantly higher risks of injury due to a lack of legal protections and safety training. This disparity suggests that economic security and physical safety remain inextricably linked for a large portion of the global workforce.
The takeaway
Closing the global safety gap requires implementing standardized occupational policies across all member states. Improving training access can drastically reduce injury rates and prevent millions of preventable deaths.
Further reading
For more on international workforce trends, visit Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ISHN.
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