An explorative analysis of Azerbaijan’s Covid-19 policy response and public opinion

ABSTRACT In responding to the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, some policy responses to suppress and mitigate the disease’s socio-economic effects have been more effective than others. Despite resource wealth Azerbaijan has a problem with public trust in institutions, which is revealed in the responses to Covid-19, especially its economic impacts. This research employs a mixed-method approach to explore Azerbaijan’s Covid-19 policy response and its socio-economic effects. An explorative analysis reveals the country’s poor level of preparedness before the pandemic and ambiguous public opinion on the government’s anti-pandemic policies. A substantial part of the population reports low self-perceived satisfaction with life, their financial situation and social environment, and significant concerns about the strict quarantine regime’s long duration and high probability of being unemployed. In addition, people’s satisfaction with life, financial situation, and social environment are statistically significant correlates of public opinion on Azerbaijan’s Covid-19 policy response. Therefore, the government should reconsider its current Covid-19 policy responses for future crisis management policies. Long-term disruption of economic life could have high socio-economic costs and repercussions for well-being, create institutional distrust and bring further instabilities. Enhancing public trust in the state should be a top priority in the government agenda.