The document summarizes the evolution and spread of Covid-19 cases globally and in Europe from early 2020 through early 2021. It shows that while the third wave is moderating in Europe, most countries have maintained mobility restrictions, impacting economic growth. Spain has a high number of total cases and deaths per million inhabitants compared to other EU countries. The vaccination process is advancing, with around 4 million people vaccinated in Spain as of March 2021.

1. Evolution of worldwide Covid-19 cases
Millions of people
EVOLUTION OF COVID-19 IN EUROPE
Within Europe, Spain is in 6th place in terms of the number of cases per million
inhabitants, and in 7th position for the number of deaths per million inhabitants.
The vaccination process is advancing in Europe, headed by the UK. In Spain, around 4
million people have received the vaccine – almost 9 out of every 100 inhabitants.
Source: Círculo de Empresarios based on Oxford University, 2021
Since Q1 2020, Covid-19 cases have spread all over the world, but particularly in Europe
and North America.
The third wave of the pandemic has started to moderate in Europe, although so far, most
countries have maintained mobility restrictions, which are having an impact on economic
growth.
Evolution of daily Covid-19 cases
Thousands of people
Total cases per million Total deaths per million
Belgium
Czech Republic
Slovenia
Italy
Portugal
Hungary
Spain
France
Slovakia
Croatia
Bulgaria
Sweden
Lithuania
Poland
Austria
Romania
Netherlands
Ireland
Latvia
Luxembourg
Comparison of the number of the EU-27
Covid-19 cases and deaths
People per million
Evolution of the vaccination process
Millions of people
Total vaccinations, March 2021
Total vaccinations for every 100 inhabitants
< 5
> 15
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Rep.
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Sweden
UK
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
-80
-70
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
Fewer restrictions More restrictions
Population mobility in retail businesess (Jan. and Feb.)
Mobility restrictions and economic
growth forecasts
GDP
growth
forecasts
Q1
2021
(%)
EUROPE
NORTH AMERICA
ASIA
SOUTH AMERICA
AFRICA
3.9
34.3
32.9
25.0
17.9
million
million
million
million
million
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Apr-20 May-20 Jun-20 Jul-20 Aug-20 Sep-20 Oct-20 Nov-20 Dec-20 Jan-21 Feb-21
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Jan-20
Feb-20
Mar-20
Apr-20
May-20
Jun-20
Jul-20
Aug-20
Sep-20
Oct-20
Nov-20
Dec-20
Jan-21
Feb-21
Millares
France
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
EU (right axis)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
27-Dec-20
03-Jan-21
10-Jan-21
17-Jan-21
24-Jan-21
31-Jan-21
07-Feb-21
14-Feb-21
21-Feb-21
28-Feb-21
EU-27 + United Kingdom
France
Germany
Spain
United Kingdom