The World Bank has revised downwards its 2014 GDP growth projections for the three nations worst hit by the current Ebola outbreak – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. “The Ebola epidemic continues to cripple the economies,” it said.
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Its report comes as bank President Jim Yong Kim begins a two-day visit to West Africa to assess the impact. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 5,987 people have died from Ebola in the three nations. The latest World Bank report still shows positive projected growth there for 2014, but at much lower rates. It said that “all three countries had been growing rapidly in recent years and into the first half of 2014..
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World Bank growth estimates
Liberia 2014: Pre-crisis 5.9%; October 2.5%; Now 2.2%
Sierra Leone 2014: Pre-crisis 11.3%; October 8%; Now 4%
Guinea 2014: Pre-crisis 4.5%; October 2.4%; Now 0.5%
Liberia 2015: Pre-crisis 6.8%; October 1%; Now 3%
Sierra Leone 2015: Pre-crisis 8.9%; October 7.7%; Now -2%
Guinea 2015: Pre-crisis 4.3%; October 2%; Now -0.2%
The bank is now also projecting negative growth for two of the nations in 2015 – Guinea and Sierra Leone. The bank adds: “In Liberia, where there are signs of progress in containing the epidemic and some increasing economic activity, the updated 2015 growth estimate is 3%, an increase from 1% in October but still less than half the pre-crisis estimate of 6.8%.” It says:
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“These latest projections imply forgone income across the three countries in 2014-15 totalling more than $2bn.” Mr Kim said: “This report reinforces why zero Ebola cases must be our goal. While there are signs of progress, as long as the epidemic continues, the human and economic impact will only grow more devastating.” The World Bank has said it is mobilising $1bn in financing for the worst-hit nations.
