An Analysis of the Possible Economic Effects of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland Using the SAM and CGE Models

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This is a conceptual paper which was motivated by the fact that Swaziland does not have a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) in place and as such there are many shocks that affect that country' economy but which cannot be analyzed effectively. Most notable of this is the economic effects of the HIV/AIDS scourge that is affecting that country of which it has been difficult to determine the effects it has had on the economy in an objective manner. This paper will highlight the usefulness of the SAM and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models in analyzing the possible economic effects of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland. The absence of a SAM for Swaziland means that empirical analysis of the effect of the disease on the economy could not be undertaken, but it is hoped that the arguments presented here will contribute to the use of these methods as tools for analyzing various shocks in an economy. The paper is divided into 4 parts. Part 1 is a brief introduction into the Swaziland economy, part 2 is a brief description of the SAM, description of CGE Modeling and a detailed application of the SAM data into the CGE modeling framework, part 3 introduces the HIV/AIDS situation in Swaziland and models its possible effects using a macroeconomic SAM and part 4 is the discussion and conclusion. The main aim of the paper then is to lay the basic framework to help small developing countries develop practical SAMs that will become an important tool in analyzing the performances of their economies.