- As countries around the world bear the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, some governments are stepping in with direct assistance.
- From monthly payments to one-time checks, many countries are putting cash directly in the hands of impacted or self-employed workers.
- 80 million Americans should receive stimulus checks this week, and tens of millions are set to receive them today.
- Others, like France and Denmark, have stepped in to subsidize workers’ wages and prevent layoffs.
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The wake of the coronavirus pandemic has left people around the world have with their livelihoods — and daily lives — completely upended.
In response to the economic fallout, some governments have stepped in to cushion the blow felt by sudden closures and the shrinking of entire industries. In many countries, workers in specific sectors and self-employed citizens have found themselves particularly impacted.
The United States Treasury Department announced that at least 80 million Americans will have their $1,200 stimulus checks direct-deposited this week — and tens of millions should have received them already. On top of that stimulus check, House Democrats just introduced the Emergency Money for the People Act; the bill would give $2,000 every month — for six months — to Americans over the age of 16 making less than $130,000 a year.
But the level of support from different countries has varied around the world. The United States is solidly in the middle of the pack, while countries like Germany lead by offering over $5,000 in assistance to freelancers.
Here’s how different countries rank when it comes to the amount of direct assistance they’re providing.