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The impact of economic sanctions on the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

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  • Chen, Mo
  • Xue, Wei-Xian
  • Zhao, Xin-Xin
  • Chang, Chun-Ping
  • Liu, Xiaoxia

Abstract

It is important to examine how international economic sanctions affect public health responses and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for effective global health strategies amidst geopolitical tensions. This research empirically examines how economic sanctions affect the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in target countries for the period February 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. We use a difference-in-differences (DID) estimator and our sample includes 181 countries, 83 of which are subject to economic sanctions. We document evidence that economic sanctions have a significant negative impact on the spread of the epidemic in the targeted countries by increasing daily confirmed cases and deaths. These negative effects are also more pronounced (i) with a longer duration of sanctions and (ii) for Asian countries. Furthermore, we find that the negative effect of economic sanctions is weaker when government responses are more severe.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Mo & Xue, Wei-Xian & Zhao, Xin-Xin & Chang, Chun-Ping & Liu, Xiaoxia, 2024. "The impact of economic sanctions on the COVID-19 pandemic," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 163-174.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:82:y:2024:i:c:p:163-174
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2024.03.005
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic sanctions; COVID-19 epidemic spread; Governments’ responses;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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