The excess costs of individuals with depression vs. individuals without depression were 2.0-times higher for direct and 2.2-times higher for indirect excess costs.

A high share of excess costs accounted for by early retirement indicates that depression has severe consequences, not only in the short term in terms of the number of days spent on sick leave, but also in the long term in the form of permanent productivity losses.

Depending on the subgroup considered, different patterns emerge. As for age, the excess costs of depression were highest among young people (aged 18–29 years), and decreased with increasing age.