Estimating loss in capability wellbeing in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of the general adult population in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands

OBJECTIVES: To estimate capability wellbeing lost from the general adult populations in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated social restrictions, including lockdowns. DESIGN: Cross-sectional with recalled timepoints. SETTING: Online panels in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands conducted in February 2021 (data collected 26 January–2 March 2021). PARTICIPANTS: Representative general adult (≥ 18 years old) population samples in the UK (n = 1,017), Australia (n = 1,011) and the Netherlands (n = 1,017) MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Participants completed the ICECAP-A capability wellbeing measure in February 2021, and for two recalled timepoints during the initial lockdowns in April 2020 and in February 2020 (prior to COVID-19 restrictions in all three countries). ICECAP-A scores on a 0–1 no capability–full capability scale were calculated for each timepoint. Societal willingness to pay estimates for a year of full capability (YFC) was used to place a monetary value associated with change in capability per person and per country. Paired t tests were used to compare changes in ICECAP-A and YFC from pre- to post-COVID-19-related restrictions in each country. RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) loss of capability wellbeing during the initial lockdown was 0.100 (0.17) in the UK, 0.074 (0.17) in Australia and 0.049 (0.12) in the Netherlands. In February 2021, losses compared to pre-lockdown were 0.043 (0.14) in the UK, 0.022 (0.13) in Australia and 0.006 (0.11) in the Netherlands. In monetary terms, these losses were equivalent to £14.8 billion, AUD$8.6 billion and €2.1 billion lost per month in April 2020 and £6.4 billion, A$2.6 billion and €260 million per month in February 2021 for the UK, Australia and the Netherlands, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There were substantial losses in capability wellbeing in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research is required to understand the specific impact of particular COVID-19 restrictions on people’s capabilities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10198-022-01498-y.