Using data from 70 of the most COVID-19 affected countries, this paper attempts to explain the cross-country variations in the number of officially confirmed COVID-19 positive cases. The findings indicate that regional characteristics play an essential role. Percent of people living in the urban...

This is the first report in ODI’s Economic Pulse series. It explores China’s international economic response to Covid-19 and analyses its international engagements, especially in developing countries, in light of shifts in the global economic and political landscape. Our review of China’s...

This is the second report in ODI’s Economic Pulse series. Pulse 2 explores China’s international economic response as the world adapts to Covid-19. The report analyses China’s international engagements, especially in developing countries, against the backdrop of its own recovery and a...

This paper evaluates the impact of a sudden and unexpected nation-wide alcohol sales ban in South Africa. We find that this policy causally reduced injury-induced mortality in the country by at least 14% during the five weeks of the ban. We argue that this estimate constitutes a lower bound on...

This paper evaluates the impact of a sudden and unexpected nation-wide alcohol sales ban in South Africa. We find that this policy causally reduced injury-induced mortality in the country by at least 14%. We argue that this estimate constitutes a lower bound on the true impact of alcohol on...

On July 13, 2020 a complete nation-wide ban was placed on the sale and transport of alcohol in South Africa. This paper evaluates the impact of this sudden and unexpected five-week alcohol prohibition on mortality due to unnatural causes. We find that the policy reduced the number of unnatural...