Suspend emerging and developing economies’ debt payments

Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff  |  Harvard University  |  14 April 2020

As the COVID-19 virus spreads globally, economic paralysis and unemployment follow in its wake. But the economic fallout of the pandemic in most emerging and developing economies is likely to be far worse than anything we have seen in China, Europe, or the United States. This is no time to expect them to meet their debt payments, either to private or official creditors.

With inadequate health-care systems, limited capacity to deliver fiscal or monetary stimulus, and underdeveloped (or nonexistent) social-safety nets, the emerging and developing world i...

Not yet a Member? It’s quick and free to join. Already a member? Please log in.

What's new with our live and on-demand continuing education, accreditation and certification programs.