What Determines Social Distancing? Evidence from Advanced and Emerging Market Economies

By Era Dabla-Norris, Hibah Khan, Frederico Lima

May 1, 2021

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Era Dabla-Norris, Hibah Khan, and Frederico Lima. What Determines Social Distancing? Evidence from Advanced and Emerging Market Economies, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2021) accessed December 25, 2024

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

The health and economic consequences of COVID-19 are closely tied to individual compliance with recommended protective behaviors. We examine the determinants of this compliance using survey data from the COVID Behavior Tracker for 29 advanced and emerging market economies between March and December 2020. Social distancing behaviors vary significantly by age, gender, occupation, and individual beliefs about COVID-19. In addition, those who trust their government’s response to COVID-19 are significantly more likely to adopt recommended behaviors and to self-isolate if advised, highlighting the need for well-coordinated actions on the health and economic fronts. We also find that mobility restrictions, such as stay-at-home orders, and mask mandates are associated with reduced social interactions and persistent increases in compliance. Together, these drivers account for over two-thirds of the regional differences in compliance, confirming their important role in increasing social distancing and containing the pandemic.

Subject: Aging, COVID-19, Employment, Gender, Health, Labor, Population and demographics

Keywords: Aging, Asia and Pacific, COVID behavior tracker, COVID-19, Employment, Government policy, Mask mandate, Northern Europe, Recommended behavior, Social interaction, Southern Europe

Publication Details

Pages:

36
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2021/123
Stock No:

WPIEA2021123
ISBN:

9781513582382
ISSN:

1018-5941

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