The Arab Spring protest movement has cost the region $614 billion in lost growth since 2011. The estimate is the first of its kind by a major economic body, the UN's Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said.

It is equivalent to 6% of the region’s total GDP between 2011 and 2015, BBC reported.

The forecasts for economic growth of Arab countries made before 2011 were used for calculations. This is the first assessment of the damage, estimated by authoritative international organization.

Indirect effects were also used at assessment: inflow of refugees, reduction of money transfers of labor migrants, decline in tourism.