Capitalism’s Deadly Legacy: Hundreds of Millions of Lives Lost to Profit-Driven Policies

Capitalism is often praised as the most efficient system for generating wealth and prosperity. Its advocates claim that it has lifted millions out of poverty, spurred innovation, and improved living standards worldwide. But what these narratives often ignore is the dark side of capitalism—a side that prioritizes profit over people, driving inequality, environmental destruction, and deprivation that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people over the past century.

This editorial aims to shed light on capitalism’s deadly legacy by examining three major consequences of the system: extreme poverty and inequality, environmental devastation and climate change, and lack of access to essential services like healthcare. Each of these aspects has been driven by capitalism’s prioritization of profit and wealth accumulation, often at the expense of human life.

1. Deaths Due to Extreme Poverty and Inequality

One of capitalism’s most tragic failures is its inability to address, and often its active role in exacerbating, extreme poverty and inequality. While capitalism may create wealth, it concentrates that wealth in the hands of a select few, leaving billions to struggle without access to basic necessities.

Poverty-Related Deaths

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), poverty is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. It is linked to malnutrition, lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation, and poor healthcare. The Global Burden of Disease Study, published in The Lancet, estimates that around 5 million children under the age of 5 die each year due to conditions related to poverty, such as malnutrition and preventable diseases. These deaths are not accidents or acts of nature; they are a direct consequence of an economic system that prioritizes profit over the basic needs of people.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that nearly 1.3 billion people live in “multidimensional poverty,” which means they are deprived in multiple areas such as health, education, and living standards. Capitalism’s prioritization of private property and profit accumulation creates structural barriers that keep billions of people trapped in cycles of poverty. According to UNICEF, nearly half of the world’s population—around 3.1 billion people—live on less than $5.50 a day. This extreme poverty is not a temporary or isolated issue; it is an entrenched part of the global capitalist system.

The Wealth Gap and Its Deadly Consequences

One of the most striking effects of capitalism is the ever-widening wealth gap. According to a 2020 report by Oxfam, the world’s richest 1% have more than twice as much wealth as 6.9 billion people combined. This extreme inequality is not just a matter of wealth distribution; it is a matter of life and death. When resources are concentrated in the hands of a few, essential services and opportunities for the many are severely restricted.

A 2017 study by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) found that income inequality is strongly correlated with increased mortality rates. The study showed that countries with higher levels of income inequality experienced significantly higher mortality rates, particularly among low-income populations. According to the WHO, poverty is a key driver of child mortality, malnutrition, and preventable diseases like malaria and diarrhea, which together kill millions each year. It is estimated that poverty-related causes claim approximately 9 million lives annually worldwide.

When we multiply this number over several decades, the scale of capitalism’s deadly toll becomes apparent. Since the 1970s, the estimated number of poverty-related deaths easily surpasses 200 million. These deaths are not merely the result of unfortunate circumstances but rather a systemic failure rooted in capitalism’s prioritization of profit over human welfare.

2. Environmental Destruction and Climate Change: Capitalism’s Looming Threat

Another deadly legacy of capitalism is its impact on the environment and its contribution to climate change. Capitalism’s relentless pursuit of profit leads to unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, resulting in environmental destruction that threatens life on a global scale.

Corporate Responsibility for Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Carbon Majors Report released in 2017 revealed that just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This startling statistic highlights the capitalist model’s inherent focus on profit-driven growth without regard for environmental consequences. These corporations, driven by the need to maximize profits, have pushed for deregulation and minimal oversight, contributing massively to global warming and environmental degradation.

The consequences of climate change are severe. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. The number of climate-related deaths is already climbing as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and food and water insecurity lead to displacement and suffering. The World Bank estimates that climate change could push an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030, further exacerbating existing inequalities.

Deaths from Environmental Degradation

Beyond climate change, capitalist practices of resource extraction and pollution have led to numerous health crises and deaths. The WHO estimates that 7 million people die each year due to air pollution, which is largely driven by the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation—industries central to capitalism. Additionally, a 2020 study by the Lancet Commission on pollution and health found that toxic pollution, including water contamination from industrial activities, causes 9 million deaths annually.

If we consider just the deaths from pollution alone over the past several decades, the numbers become staggering. For instance, over the last 50 years, pollution-related deaths are estimated to exceed 300 million, a toll that can largely be attributed to capitalist practices prioritizing profits over environmental sustainability.

3. Denial of Access to Essential Services: Healthcare as a Case Study

A key feature of capitalism is the privatization of essential services, including healthcare. By turning healthcare into a commodity, capitalism leaves millions without the access they need to survive, leading to preventable deaths on an enormous scale.

Lack of Universal Healthcare

In the United States, the capitalist healthcare system has left millions without insurance or access to affordable care. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 31 million Americans remained uninsured in 2020. This lack of insurance is directly linked to higher mortality rates. A 2020 study published in The Lancet estimated that the lack of universal healthcare in the U.S. results in 68,000 preventable deaths each year.

When we consider the cumulative impact of this lack of access, the death toll is staggering. In just the past decade, the absence of a universal healthcare system in the U.S. alone has resulted in nearly 700,000 preventable deaths. Globally, the number is far higher. According to the WHO, nearly 10 million deaths each year are linked to lack of access to essential health services. This is not simply a matter of insufficient resources; it is a result of the commodification of healthcare under capitalism.

Conclusion: The Deadly Legacy of Capitalism

When we add up the numbers, the human toll of capitalism is staggering. From poverty-related deaths to the impacts of environmental destruction and the lack of access to essential services like healthcare, capitalism’s prioritization of profit over people has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of millions over the past century.

• Poverty-related deaths: Estimated 200 million deaths since the 1970s.

• Environmental degradation and climate change: Over 300 million deaths due to pollution and climate-related causes.

• Lack of healthcare access: Tens of millions of preventable deaths due to inadequate healthcare systems globally.

These figures are not isolated incidents or the result of unavoidable natural forces. They are the direct consequence of a system that prioritizes wealth accumulation for a few over the basic rights and needs of the many. Capitalism’s legacy is not one of prosperity and progress but one of inequality, exploitation, and death.

If we are to create a more just and humane world, we must critically examine the failures of capitalism and seek alternative systems that prioritize the well-being of all people, not just the wealthy and powerful. The staggering human toll that capitalism has taken should serve as a wake-up call to those who believe that this system is the only viable path forward. A better world is possible, but it requires breaking free from the constraints of a system that continues to sacrifice lives in the name of profit.