Financial Services

Covid-19’s impact on personal finance in Asia

May 11, 2022

Asia

Covid-19’s impact on personal finance in Asia

May 11, 2022

Asia
Michael Frank

Manager, Policy and insights

Michael Frank (Manager, Policy & Insights, Asia) leads both internal advisory and external thought leadership and advocacy research programmes. He specialises in the intersection of technology and geopolitics. His research has covered themes including the impact of emergent technologies (AI, 5G, IoT), international influence in technology policymaking, and geopolitics-driven technological decoupling. Recently, Michael managed the research programme behind The cost of de-globalising world trade: economic scenarios for the world's turn inwards. Michael advises Asia-based clients on incorporating macro trends into strategy. He also represents Economist Impact's editorial views in interviews with Asia-based media. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in international relations and economics from Colgate University.
Covid-19’s impact on personal finance in Asia was researched and written by Michael Frank and Sakshi Tokas of Economist Impact. Home Credit is the sponsor of this report. The analysis and conclusions herein are the work of Economist Impact and do not necessarily reflect the views of Home Credit.
 
The report’s authors would like to thank the following experts for sharing their time and insights as part of the research process:
• Sumit Agarwal, Professor of Finance, Economics and Real Estate and Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professor at the National University of Singapore
• Era Dabla-Norris, Division Chief of the Asian I Division in the IMF’s Asia Pacific Department and mission chief for Vietnam
• Steven Kidd, Professional Adviser at UNICEF UK
 
As the pandemic moves into its late stages, policymakers’ attention is shifting from emergency public health and economic measures to dealing with the long-term financial consequences. The pandemic has taken a toll on government, corporate and household finances alike, weighing heavily on the global economic outlook.
 
The impact has been profound in Asia, which has featured some of the world’s most stringent infection-control policies. Much of the regions’ workforce is employed in jobs requiring the physical presence of workers, such as agriculture and logistics. Many governments in the region lack the administrative capacity to deliver effective economic rescue packages directly to households. While recovery is likely to be hampered by higher global food and energy prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there is reason for hope as growth rebounds in the world’s most economically dynamic region.
 
This report delves into the pandemic’s impact on household finances and takes stock of the damage, focusing on developing countries in Asia, as well as the prospects for recovery.
 

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