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Inequality, poverty, deprivation and the uneven spread of COVID-19 in Europe

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  • Chiara Burlina
  • Andres Rodriguez-Pose

Abstract

COVID-19 is mostly considered to have ravaged places with high levels of inequality and poverty. Yet, in the case of Europe, the evidence for this is limited. In this paper we address this gap in our knowledge by exploring how regional variations in poverty, wealth, and inter-personal inequality have shaped COVID-19-related excess mortality. The results show that during the first 18 months of the pandemic there is no link between inequality and poverty, on the one hand, and the lethality of the disease, on the other. The geographical concentration of wealthy people is related to more, not less, excess mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Burlina & Andres Rodriguez-Pose, 2023. "Inequality, poverty, deprivation and the uneven spread of COVID-19 in Europe," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2303, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Feb 2023.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:2303
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    Cited by:

    1. Susanna Traversa & Enrico Ivaldi & Alessia Forciniti, 2024. "The European Union and Material Deprivation: Measuring the Evolution of Inequalities over the 2000s," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Zhao, Hengsong & Lin, Boqiang, 2025. "Rising inequality in the European Union under stringent climate policy: Internal challenges of carbon border adjustment mechanism," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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