2022: End of the pandemic and key year for economic recovery

Everything suggests that 2022 could be the year of post-pandemic economic recovery. Scientists have predicted the end of the acute stage of Covid-19, which has left around 5.4 million dead worldwide and infected more than 282 million people.

Although the number of cases increased by 70% with Omicron, by the beginning of this year deaths had dropped by 10%, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that the outbreak of this variant is signaling the beginning of the end by becoming an immunization accelerator together with vaccines, therefore, Covid-19 is expected to become an endemic virus with which humanity will be able to coexist without major problems.

Keys to economic recovery

By 2022, economic recovery is expected to consolidate and GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 6.0%, which will be supported by several levers.

1. Tourism

The sector with the largest contribution will be tourism. This segment began to recover during mid-2021 and for this year the recovery of international tourism is expected to be more robust, driven mainly by tourism flows from Europe, the United States and Latin America.

2. Household consumption

Household consumption will play an important role in the economic recovery. During 2020, restrictions on activity caused a drop in consumption that affected all types of companies, but this has been increasing and a significant upturn is expected for 2022.

3. Sustainability of SMEs

The sustainability of SMEs is key to economic recovery in both the medium and long term. It is expected that this year economic policy measures to halt the disappearance of companies with solvency problems will be granted to those that are viable but in crisis.

4. Startups and digital infrastructure

Startups represent innovative solutions to all kinds of problems, around complex issues such as Industry 4.0, the 5G network and artificial intelligence. Therefore, technology policies, investments, access to digital infrastructure and support programs need to be considered as integral elements of economic recovery and strengthening.

5. Other factors

There are many areas associated with the generation of jobs and business opportunities in the post-pandemic phase. These include businesses and investments in the healthcare sector, medical equipment, telemedicine, distance education, e-commerce, digital economy and app development. Other issues that also deserve attention are international trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and environmental protection.

All of the above constitute countless investment opportunities for the 2022 economic recovery.