IMF: Pandemic leaves many countries behind
(VOVWORLD) - The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving many economies lagging behind, worsening the plight of the poor, a problem made worse by "uneven" access to vaccines, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Wednesday.
 Illustrative photo by VNA |
By the end of 2022, emerging markets and developing nations, excluding China, will see per capita incomes drop 22 percent below pre-crisis levels, compared to a 13 percent drop for advanced economies. This will throw millions more into extreme poverty, Georgieva warned. The virus-driven economic crisis also will widen income gaps within developing nations, just as millions of children have their education disrupted. She called for stronger international collaboration to accelerate the vaccine rollout in poorer countries and transfer surplus COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need.