World Economic Crisis: The Biggest Impact on Developing Countries

The world economic crisis has become a global issue that affects various aspects of life, especially for developing countries. In recent years, factors such as oil price fluctuations, trade wars, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have further worsened this economic condition. Developing countries are often the most vulnerable to the negative effects of these crises. One of the biggest impacts is the increase in poverty rates. Economic instability caused many small and medium-sized companies to close down, thereby increasing the number of unemployed. With rising unemployment, people’s purchasing power has decreased drastically, making access to basic needs such as food, education and health care increasingly difficult. Inflation is also a major problem. Developing countries often experience high inflation due to soaring import costs and weak local currencies. This has a direct impact on the prices of goods and services. People have to spend more money to buy daily necessities, which in turn increases the pressure on those already living below the poverty line. The health sector is the area most affected. The economic crisis has resulted in reduced national health budgets, making it difficult for these countries to provide basic health services. Limited funding often results in a lack of adequate health facilities, as well as access to vital medicines. In the context of a pandemic, this is very crucial because the already weak health system is increasingly unprepared to deal with a surge in cases. Education is also not immune from the impact of the crisis. Budgets for education are often cut, leaving many schools unable to operate properly. Some students are forced to drop out of school because their parents cannot afford education costs. This low quality of education will have a long-term impact on the development of human resources and the country’s economic competitiveness. International trade is becoming increasingly difficult for developing countries. Dependence on exports of raw materials makes them vulnerable to global price fluctuations. As international demand declines, many developing countries experience significant declines in exports, resulting in greater revenue losses. Protectionist policies adopted by developed countries also increase the burden on the economies of developing countries. In facing this crisis, it is important for developing countries to adopt innovative measures. Increasing economic diversification, investment in technology, and increasing the capacity of the informal sector can provide solutions to reduce dependence on vulnerable sectors. In addition, international collaboration and increasing access to global markets are also important to help these countries emerge from the crisis. The world economic crisis is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity for developing countries to carry out reforms. With the right approach, these countries can build more resilient and sustainable economic systems, reducing the impact of future crises and improving people’s quality of life.