Global Economy May Suffer $8.8 Trillion In Losses Due To Covid-19 Pandemic, Projects ADB Report

The global economy could suffer between $5.8 trillion and $8.8 trillion in losses - equivalent to 6.4 per cent to 9.7 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) - as a result of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, says a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday (15 May).

The report, Updated Assessment of the Potential Economic Impact of COVID-19, finds that economic losses in Asia and the Pacific could range from $1.7 trillion under a short containment scenario of 3 months to $2.5 trillion under a long containment scenario of 6 months, with the region accounting for about 30 per cent of the overall decline in global output, the ADB said in a press release.

According to the report, China alone could suffer losses between $1.1 trillion and $1.6 trillion.

The new analysis updates findings presented in the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2020 published on 3 April, which estimated COVID-19’s global cost to range from $2.0 trillion to $4.1 trillion.

Governments around the world have been quick in responding to the impacts of the pandemic, implementing measures such as fiscal and monetary easing, increased health spending, and direct support to cover losses in incomes and revenues, the report said.

Sustained efforts from governments focused on these measures could soften COVID‑19’s economic impact by as much as 30 per cent to 40 per cent, according to the report. This could reduce global economic losses due to the pandemic to between $4.1 trillion and $5.4 trillion.

Sustained efforts from governments focused on these measures could soften COVID-19's economic impact by as much as 30 percent to 40 per cent, it said, adding this could reduce global economic losses due to the pandemic to between $4.1 trillion and $5.4 trillion.

The analysis, which uses a Global Trade Analysis Project-computable general equilibrium model, covers 96 affected economies with over 4 million COVID-19 cases.

In addition to shocks to tourism, consumption, investment, and trade and production linkages covered in the ADO 2020 estimates, the new report included transmission channels such as the increase in trade costs affecting mobility, tourism, and other industries; supply-side disruptions that adversely affect output and investment; and government policy responses that mitigate the effects of COVID-19's global economic impact.

"This new analysis presents a broad picture of the very significant potential economic impact of COVID-19," ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada said in a statement.

"It also highlights the important role policy interventions can play to help mitigate damage to economies. These findings can provide governments with a relevant policy guide as they develop and implement measures to contain and suppress the pandemic, and lessen its impacts on their economies and people," he added.

Under the short and long containment scenarios, the report noted that border closures, travel restrictions, and lockdowns that outbreak-affected economies implemented to stem the spread of COVID-19, will likely cut global trade by $1.7 trillion to $2.6 trillion.

The report projected that the global employment decline would be between 158 million and 242 million jobs, with Asia and the Pacific comprising 70 per cent of total employment losses.