GTA 6 could cost US economy $1 billion from workers calling in sick, economist says

An economics professor at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona projects GTA 6's November 19 launch could cost the US economy $1 billion due to an estimated 1.5 million workers calling in sick.

The projection is based on the average yearly output of a US worker being $70,000, which would result in a short-term productivity dip of around 2 percent. The economist notes people have waited 13 years for GTA 6 and will want time to play it instead of working.

The expert estimates men aged 18 to 30 will make up the majority of workers taking sick days, with the technology sector being the hardest hit. This pattern closely resembles the age and occupation of people who took time off to play GTA 5.

The report notes that even if this happens, the money lost from people not working will be made up by what Take-Two and Rockstar Games make from releasing GTA 6. Some companies have already announced they are shutting down when GTA 6 launches because workers would likely call in sick anyway.