Publication: Timor-Leste Economic Report, May 2021: Charting a New Path
Date
2021-05
ISSN
Published
2021-05
Author(s)
World Bank Group
Abstract
COVID-19 is spreading quickly throughout the country, despite early successes in containing the virus.
Meanwhile, flooding and landslides have caused considerable human loss and economic damage. These
compounding health and humanitarian emergencies are undermining the economic recovery in 2021, but the
recent approval of a revised budget can alleviate the negative impacts. Economic activity has been weakened by the recent COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of Cyclone Seroja. GDP
is forecast to grow by 1.8 percent in 2021, which is lower than the 3.1 projected in October 2020. The economy
is expected to recover in the medium-term, but structural constraints will remain an impediment to faster
growth. Reforms to boost productivity and competitiveness are critical. COVID-19 and recent floods have highlighted and exacerbated underlying weaknesses in Timor-Leste’s health
system. Disruptions to health and nutrition services arising from these crises may have a multiplier effect on
access to care for routine and essential care, setting back the country’s progress on health outcomes and
human capital development.
Citation
“World Bank Group. 2021. Timor-Leste Economic Report, May 2021: Charting a New Path. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35720 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”