Projecting populations for major Pacific Island countries with and without COVID-19: pro-active insights for population policy

Sumeet Lal, Rup Singh, Ronal Chand, Arvind Patel and Devendra Kumar Jain ()
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Sumeet Lal: The University of the South Pacific
Rup Singh: The University of the South Pacific
Ronal Chand: The University of the South Pacific
Arvind Patel: The University of the South Pacific
Devendra Kumar Jain: The University of the South Pacific

Journal of Population Research, 2022, vol. 39, issue 2, No 4, 257-277

Abstract: Abstract The paper projects aggregate populations of six Pacific Island countries in both pre- and post-COVID19 scenarios using a Cohort Component Method for the period 2020–2060. It uses baseline indicators resembling China and Italy’s experiences and finds that Pacific countries could experience a fatality rate between 5 and 20% due to the pandemic. It also finds that most Pacific Island countries would experience higher fatalities in the older age groups, consistent with what is being witnessed in other countries around the world. The analysis also shows that while the risk escalates for people over 50 years onward in all other sample countries, in Fiji, those in the age range of 60 years or more are at higher risk. The findings also indicate that for all countries, the fatality rate for 80 years and older is about 50%. The population projections show that Fiji will be most impacted, while others will experience around 2% initial population decline. The convergence to baseline is found to be slow (except for Tonga) in most Pacific countries. Consequently, the paper suggests a cautious approach in dealing with the current crisis.

Keywords: South Pacific population projection; Cohort component model; Population policy; COVID-19 Impact in the South Pacific (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J11 J14 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s12546-021-09272-2

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