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Covid-19: Economic Results on Indian and Brazil

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17.03.2023
Covid-19: Economic Results on Indian and Brazil

In Brazil and India, two of the biggest developing nations in the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and multifaceted economic impact. The health, economic, and social effects of the pandemic have been addressed in both nations despite significant challenges.

The COVID-19 has had an extremely negative economic impact in Brazil. The nation experienced one of the worst economic downturns in its history, with a record contraction of 5 point 8 percent in 2020, leading to millions of job losses, income reductions, and increased poverty and inequality. With over 450,000 deaths and more than 16 million cases as of May 2021, the health system has also been severely taxed by the uptick in infections and hospitalizations. Brazil's external sector has been impacted by the decline in global demand and prices for its exports, particularly those of commodities like oil, soybeans, and iron ore. Brazil has displayed some signs of recovery and resiliency in 2021 despite these difficulties. The government extended some social protection measures until August 2021 to support income and consumption during the first quarter of 2021, which saw the economy grow by 1.2 percent. The emergence of new variants and low vaccination rates are just a couple of the COVID-19-related risks and uncertainties that Brazil is still dealing with.

Similar to how the COVID-19 had a negative economic impact on other countries, India also experienced this. The country's GDP growth rate decreased from 6 point 1 percent in 2019 to 4 percent in 2020 and further decreased by 7 point 3 percent in 2021, disrupting domestic demand and exports, particularly in sectors like tourism, hospitality, aviation, manufacturing, and trade. With over 450,000 fatalities and more than 33 million cases as of November 2021, India has also experienced a high human cost from COVID-19, placing strain on the healthcare system and leading to shortages of vaccines, medications, and oxygen. With the deficit-to-GDP ratio rising from 4 point 6 percent in 2019 to 9 point 5 percent in 2020, the government's increased public spending to lessen the social and economic effects of COVID-19 has also raised questions about fiscal sustainability and credibility. India's external sector has also been impacted by the decline in global demand for and prices for its exports, particularly oil products, gems and jewelry, textiles, and leather goods. India has demonstrated some signs of recovery and resiliency in 2021 despite these difficulties, with the economy expanding by 20.1% in the second quarter and the government extending social protection measures until November 2021 to support consumption and income.

The emergence of new COVID-19 variants, low vaccination rates in rural areas, and the political climate as India gears up for general elections in early 2024 are just a few of the uncertainties and risks the country still faces.

In conclusion, COVID-19 has had a significant and wide-ranging economic impact on Brazil and India, affecting a variety of industries and aspects of their economies. Both nations still face a great deal of uncertainty and risk because of the pandemic, despite some signs of resilience and recovery. Brazilian and Indian health systems, social protection programs, and economic resilience can be strengthened with the help of the lessons learned and best practices discovered by international organizations and other nations, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable pandemic recovery.

Additionally, the pandemic has had an effect on India's external sector. Certain industries have been severely impacted by the decline in global demand and prices for its exports as well as disruptions in global supply chains. As an illustration, the pandemic has had a severe impact on India's textile and apparel industry as a result of decreased demand from important markets like the US and the EU. This sector accounts for a sizeable portion of India's exports. Similar to how the travel restrictions brought on by the pandemic have negatively impacted other industries, the aviation industry has seen a sharp decline in both passenger traffic and revenue.

Despite the difficulties, India has proven to be resilient and creative in addressing the economic effects of the pandemic. The government has announced a number of initiatives to boost the economy, including a $266 billion relief package to help financially distressed households and companies. The government has also implemented a number of structural reforms, such as labor market reforms, to promote economic growth and job creation.

Finally, it should be noted that COVID-19 had a significant and wide-ranging economic impact on India, with serious ramifications for its prospects for future growth and development. Although the nation has shown signs of recovery and resiliency, it still faces formidable obstacles, such as controlling the virus's spread and immunizing a sizable population, managing pressures from the external and fiscal sectors, and addressing structural growth barriers. For India's economy to recover and its prospects for long-term development to look promising, the government's response to these issues and its capacity to deal with them will be crucial. 



Author: Pooyan Ghamari, Swiss Economist and Visionary in Global Markets and Finances

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