Many sources, one picture: Bringing together different datasets gives central government officials a rounded view of the pandemic’s impacts on economic activity and household incomes. Illustration by Katy Smith
Governments have found new sources of real-time financial data that give a clear view of COVID-19’s impact on industries, businesses and workers. At the 2020 Government Finance Summit, top officials from around the world dipped into this treasure trove for economic policymakers and service providers
After the 2008 credit crunch, governments spent vast sums on economic stimulus packages – propping up their financial sectors and injecting demand into the economy. But by comparison to the money being injected into national economies during the pandemic, the sums spent a decade ago were small change. Speaking at the 2020 Global Government Finance Summit, Tony Gardner – a former US Ambassador to the European Union and adviser to knowledge partner Mastercard – explained