Magnitude and Determinants of Mortalities Related to COVID-19: Evidence from 94 Countries Using Regression Techniques

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the factors determining COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic across countries by employing a rich dataset sourced from 94 countries updated till 6 February, 2022. For empirical analysis, the study makes use of cross-sectional linear regression technique in the first part and after required diagnostic tests use 2SLS regression technique for correcting possible endogeneity bias in the second part. Findings from the study indicate that factors like total reported cases, population size, population over 70 years of age, extreme poverty, and human development index play significant role in determining COVID-19-related death. Further, to check the robustness of the findings the present study employed LASSO regression. Findings from the study highlight the possibility of government intervention to devise appropriate policies to control COVID-related incidence and death.