The economics of the COVID-19 pandemic in poor countries

Arbeitspapier

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended health and living standards around the world. This article provides an interim overview of these effects, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Economists have explained how the pandemic is likely to have differential consequences for LMICs, and demand distinct policy responses, compared to rich countries. We survey the rapidly expanding body of empirical research that documents its many adverse economic and non-economic effects in terms of living standards, education, health, and gender equality, which appear to be unprecedented in depth and scale. We also review research on successful and failed policy responses, including the failure to ensure widespread vaccine coverage in LMICs, which is needed to end the pandemic. We close with a discussion of implications for public policy in LMICs, and for the institutions of international governance, given the likelihood of future pandemics and other major shocks (e.g., climate).

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Economic Growth Center Discussion Paper ; No. 1089

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft
• Subject: COVID-19 ; Pandemic ; Economic Development ; Public Health ; Low- andmiddle-income countries (LMICs)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Miguel, Edward ; Mobarak, Ahmed Mushfiq
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Yale University, Economic Growth Center
• (where): New Haven, CT
• (when): 2021

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/248264
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET