The coronavirus pandemic could cost the global economy a nightmarish $82 trillion over 5 years, a Cambridge study warns

In case of speedy recovery, an "optimistic loss" of $3.3 trillion is likely. But in the extreme event of an economic doomsday scenario, the global economy could lose $82 trillion in damages, the Centre for Risk Studies, part of the university, said.
The figures are not meant to represent a shrinkage of the global economy, but rather how much potential growth the economy could lose if it slipped into a prolonged depression.
"The world economy is still in the midst of the 'full stop' described by Daniel Defoe some 300 years ago," said Keith Wade, chief economist at UK fund manager Schroders, said in a separate note.
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The global economy could be set back by a harrowing $82 trillion in damages related to the coronavirus pandemic over the next five years, according to recent findings by a University of Cambridge department that examines systemic risks.

These cost projections are based on 2019 gross domestic product volumes which stood at $69.2 trillion for the world's 19 leading economies. The contrast, in comparison, is visibly massive.

The Centre for Risk Studies at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School determined that the potential toll could range between what it called an "optimistic loss" of $3.3 trillion in case of rapid recovery, and $82 trillion in the event of an economic depression.

While lost value of $82 trillion is the worst case scenario, the centre's consensus projection was a loss of some $26.8 trillion, 5.3%, of global GDP in the coming five years.

Read more: Tens of billions in redemptions, hundreds of billions in losses: Here's a look at how the hedge fund industry hemorrhaged money in March To put a figure on the potential impact to some of the leading global economies, the following five-year loss projections added more context (All %'s represent five-year GDP estimates): US : Best case: $550 billion (0.4% of GDP). Worst case: $19.9 trillion (13.6%) UK : Best case: $96 billion (0.46%). Worst case: $2.5 trillion (16.8%) China : Best case: $1 trillion (0.9%). Worst case: $19 trillion (16.5%) The centre was keen to stress that its metrics are not forecasts for what will happen, rather projections on what might occur. They are also not meant to reflect an economic contraction, but rather how much potential GDP is at risk. "The new calculations on GDP@Risk from the pandemic are not forecasts, but rather are projections based on various plausible scenarios that could unfold in the next five years related to the economic impact of COVID-19," Andrew Coburn, the centre's chief scientist said. Strikingly, financial markets do not seem to be weighing in a doomsday scenario. The S&P 500 continues to advance, making gains of over 30% compared to March. In other related impacts, future growth and return on assets could continue to be depressed up to 40 years after the passing of the pandemic, according to Keith Wade, chief economist at Schroders UK. Wade's recent note was first reported by Marketwatch. By citing studies on the long-term economic impact of past pandemics, Wade shed some light on outbreaks spanning back to the 14th century Black Death up to the H1N1 explosion of 2009. Read more: 10 big-money investors each share the single market risk they think traders are overlooking right now Schroders UK "The world economy is still in the midst of the 'full stop' described by Daniel Defoe some 300 years ago," Wade said. "The virus is likely to reinforce the trends that were driving activity before the outbreak struck, by challenging the growth path, creating greater pressure on government finances and increasing inequality as technology becomes ever more pervasive." Read more: Buy these 14 bank stocks that are jarringly cheap and positioned for extreme moves higher, BTIG says NOW WATCH: Why thoroughbred horse semen is the world's most expensive liquid See Also: These are the top 10 global fallout scenarios from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a WEF survey Goldman Sachs: India's economy will shrink 45% this quarter and suffer a brutal recession this year 'We have a depression on our hands': The CIO of a bearish $150 million fund says the market will grind to new lows after the current bounce is over and warns 'a lot more pain' is still to come SEE ALSO: 'Buffett needs to listen to Buffett again': Investor was wrong to recommend tech-heavy S&P 500, Berkshire Hathaway shareholder says