Subnational Income, Growth, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

B-Tier
Journal: World Bank Economic Review
Year: 2025
Volume: 39
Issue: 2
Pages: 362-376

Authors (5)

M Ali Choudhary (not in RePEc) Ilaria Dal Barco (not in RePEc) Ijlal A Haqqani (not in RePEc) Federico Lenzi (not in RePEc) Nicola Limodio (Università Commerciale Luigi B...)

Score contribution per author:

0.402 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Using real-time data and machine-learning methods, we produce monthly aggregates on gross national income (GNI) for 147 Pakistani districts between 2012 and 2021. We use them to understand whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the growth and subnational distribution of income in Pakistan. Three findings emerge from our analysis. First, districts experienced a sizable decline in income during the pandemic, as their monthly growth rate dropped on average by 0.133 percentage points. Second, a larger income drop took place in districts with a higher COVID-19 incidence, which correspond to urban areas characterized by a higher population density. Third, COVID-19 caused a decline in income inequality across districts, with richer districts experiencing more negative income growth during the pandemic.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:wbecrv:v:39:y:2025:i:2:p:362-376.
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-25