COVID-19 and South Asia: an overview

Abstract

The article explores the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its severe effects on health systems, economies, and poverty levels. With an estimated 6.9 million deaths worldwide and the deepest recession since World War II, the pandemic had diverse regional impacts. South Asia, for example, experienced varying degrees of health and economic challenges; India faced over 500,000 deaths and a sharp economic downturn, while other nations in the region were less severely affected. The pandemic’s relatively brief duration, aided by global responses like lockdowns, social distancing, and rapid vaccine distribution, facilitated a quicker economic recovery, bolstered by unprecedented counter-cyclical policies. The article also examines South Asian case studies, including regional trade integration, the economic benefits of vaccination, and the socio-economic impacts on women in Bangladesh. It further discusses Pakistan’s response, Sri Lanka’s populist policies, and Indonesia’s monetary policy adjustments, offering valuable lessons for managing global health crises and economic downturns.