Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone: Selected Issues

Abstract

This paper aims to measure the impact of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Epidemic on economic growth in Sierra Leone.The paper uses a novel empirical approach based on a Difference in Differences (DID) setup, called the Synthetic Control Method (SCM).The model suggests EVD had a severe impact on growth.In 2014, the first year EVD hit the country, the impact on real growth excluding iron ore is estimated to be more than 5 percentage points.In outer years, the severity of the impact lessens, and growth converges to its normal path by 2018.1 Prepared by Mehmet Cangul and Chu Wang.2 Based on patient data from the World Health Organization.3 Sierra Leone Post-Ebola Economic Recovery Plan.