Sopra Steria Study Reveals Global Economic Impact of Disinformation

In a recent study, Sopra Steria has estimated that disinformation cost the global economy $417 billion in 2024. The report highlights that these costs are spread across financial, social, and political domains, affecting various sectors including businesses and public institutions. With the growing industrialisation of disinformation, the study emphasizes the need for enhanced information resilience in Europe.

The research, inspired by methods from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, presents a detailed analysis with data indicating $393 billion in direct financial impacts, $11 billion linked to AI-driven fraud, and $5.5 billion lost to crypto scams. The study calls attention to the significant economic risks posed by information manipulation, urging organisations to manage this as a strategic concern.

Ayman Awada, from Sopra Steria Group, underscores the transformation of disinformation into a substantial economic challenge, advocating for strategic awareness and resilience building. The study offers a comprehensive view of the economic footprint of disinformation, stressing the urgent need for coordinated efforts to counteract its effects.