Socio-Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on OECD Countries

The study aims to study the socio-economic features of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic systems of the OECD countries, as well as to analyze the measures taken by states for their subsequent adaptation in the economies affected by the crisis. The authors identified the OECD countries with the highest number of cases of coronavirus, which demonstrated positive dynamics of socio-economic indicators after a significant recession due to the pandemic (USA, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Spain). The article analyzes the dynamics of key socio-economic indicators that characterize the development of the OECD countries under study in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 (unemployment rate, inflation rate, gross national savings, exports and imports of goods and services). The measures implemented by states to stabilize economic activity and maintain social well-being during the pandemic are studied. The authors concluded that the economic and social measures taken by the OECD countries under study are common and that the results of their implementation differ significantly. It is proved that Germany is the country that has most successfully implemented a package of anti-crisis measures based on an effective monetary policy and direct state support for the real sector, which allowed it to maintain the volume of export–import operations and gross savings at the pre-crisis level, prevent an inflationary jump in the country and not exacerbate the problems with increasing unemployment. Germany's experience in creating a basis for overcoming the global economic crisis can be adapted to the conditions of the countries most affected by the pandemic.