Azerbaijan Socio-economic Assessment for COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented global challenge that goes beyond a health crisis, as it is impacting economies and societies in ways that risk derailing development gains. Without urgent actions, lives and livelihoods will be seriously compromised, with negative consequences for poverty, inequality and the achievement of Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals. To support the efforts of the Government, the United Nations undertook this Socio-economic Assessment for Covid-19 in Azerbaijan to measure the effects and impacts of the crisis across key sectors and to provide the evidence base needed to formulate effective recovery policies and strategies. To this end, the UN harnessed its collective expertise, both national and international, as well as that of the Government of Azerbaijan and development partners.

The findings of the assessment suggest that, unless policy measures and programmatic interventions are designed for the medium-term, the pandemic will have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable populations. Therefore, recovery interventions are suggested to help avoid a deterioration of the country’s socio-economic conditions, ensuring that no one is left behind. The proposed recovery strategy and policy recommendations aim to link the immediate response with medium-term recovery measures that promote sustainable development and build resilience, recognizing that the long-term development trajectory of Azerbaijan will be affected by the choices made today.