Cross-national Comparative Analysis of the Determinants of COVID-19 Deaths

Abstract

　There have been many debates in academia and media on the determinants of the cross-national difference of COVID-19 deaths. This article tries to analyze the main factors which make a considerable difference in COVID-19 deaths utilizing the data available on 31 July 2020. The result reveals that the number of physicians (per 1,000 people) is negatively correlated with COVID-19 deaths. On the other hand, the number of hospital beds (per 1,000 people) is not. The political regime, the ratio of the population aged 65 and above, confirmed cases, and latitude are correlated with COVID-19 deaths. This result suggests that human resources are more critical to save patient’s lives than clinical beds. Except for demographic and geographic factors, the political regime also affects the number of COVID-19 deaths.