A scoping review of COVID-19 economic response policies in the MENA countries: lessons learned for Iran for future pandemics

Alireza Hajizadeh (), Mohammad Seyedmohammadi (), Shirin Nosratnejad (), Behzad Najafi (), Homayoun Sadeghi-bazargani () and Ali Imani ()
Additional contact information
Alireza Hajizadeh: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Mohammad Seyedmohammadi: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Shirin Nosratnejad: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Behzad Najafi: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Homayoun Sadeghi-bazargani: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Ali Imani: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Health Economics Review, 2024, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Background Given the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to examine the economic response policies implemented by governments. This study aims to review evidence from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Iran, on COVID-19 economic response policies designed to protect households, vulnerable groups, and businesses. Methods Utilizing Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology, electronic search engines and databases were systematically searched to identify published studies within the timeframe of December 31, 2019, to 2022. Additionally, a gray literature search for relevant policy documents and reports was conducted. The following six-step approach was employed: (1) defining the review questions, (2) identifying relevant studies through database searches, (3) screening studies for inclusion, (4) extracting and charting data, (5) analyzing and presenting results, and (6) providing guidance and suggestions. Narrative synthesis was utilized for data analysis. Results After a rigorous screening process, 53 studies were selected from a pool of 3392 search results. The findings are categorized into three primary groups: Households, vulnerable groups, and economic businesses. The majority of MENA countries implemented economic and social measures to support these groups, including stimulus packages, tax deferrals and exemptions, wage subsidies, and debt obligation deferments. The size of stimulus packages in MENA countries varied significantly, ranging from 0 to 14% of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The average stimulus package size in MENA countries was 3.67%, notably lower than the global average of 11%. Among the 64 selected countries, the average government support as a share of GDP was 6.3%, with Ecuador at the lowest (0.05%) and Germany at the highest (23%). In Iran, government financial support contributed approximately 7% to the Gross National Product. Conclusion MENA countries, including Iran, implemented diverse economic strategies and policies in response to the critical circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, tailored to their specific conditions. Assessing the effectiveness of these policies and the extent of the pandemic’s long-term economic, health, and lifestyle impacts requires a more extended timeframe.

Keywords: COVID-19; Households; Economic enterprises; Vulnerable groups; Economic policies; Iran; MENA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s13561-024-00587-3 Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:hecrev:v:14:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s13561-024-00587-3

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/journal/13561

DOI: 10.1186/s13561-024-00587-3

Access Statistics for this article

Health Economics Review is currently edited by J. Matthias Graf von der Schulenburg

More articles in Health Economics Review from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().