Coronavirus Hits the Developing World

The pandemic originated in East Asia in November 2019 before spreading to Europe and the United States. As much of Europe and the U.S. reopen, it is now expanding rapidly in the developing world, particularly South Asia and Latin America.

China and South Korea, which were hit early by the pandemic, saw cases level off by early March, just as infections were taking off in Italy.

Over the next two months, lockdowns in Europe helped bring regional infections under control, as the U.S. became the epicenter of the pandemic.

By June, outbreaks exploded throughout the developing world, including Brazil, India and Peru.

Hot spots: Key locations where cases are rising

Many poorer nations locked down with the rest of the world. But unlike hard-hit countries such as Italy and Spain, they haven't managed to “bend” the curve, or decrease new cases so far.

Where deaths are rising

Mortality rates have been lower in many low-income countries in part due to their larger share of young people, who experience less severe cases of the disease.

In India, where 10% of the population is over 60, the Covid-19 mortality rate is one-fifth of what it is in Italy, where 30% of the population is over 60.

Mexico is an exception among developing countries. Higher Covid-19 mortality rates among younger patients there may be driven by greater rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

Economists project that the downturn caused by Covid closures will hit developing economies harder than previous global recessions.

After decades of growth that lifted millions out of poverty, some countries face declines up to 10% of annual GDP — though developing economies are expected to fare better than advanced economies.