Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Correlation between country-level numbers of COVID-19 cases and mortalities, and country-level characteristics: A
George N Okoli1,2, Christine J Neilson3, Ahmed M Abou-Setta1,4
1George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada.
Abstract:
Background: Not much is known about correlations between country-level characteristics and country-level numbers of COVID-19 cases and mortalities. Methods: Using data from the World Health Organization and other international organisations, we summarised country-level COVID-19 case and mortality counts per 100,000 population, and COVID-19 case fatality rate from January 2020 to August 2021. We conducted adjusted linear regression analysis to assess relationships between these counts/rate and certain country-level characteristics. We reported adjusted regression coefficients, β and associated 95% confidence intervals. Results: There was a positive correlation between the number of cases and country-level male/female ratio, and positive correlations between the numbers of cases and mortalities and country-level proportion of 60+-year-olds, universal health coverage index of service coverage (UHC) and tourism. Country economic status correlated negatively with the numbers of cases and mortalities. COVID-19 case fatality rate was highest in Peru, South American region (9.2%), and lowest in Singapore, Western Pacific region (0.1%). A negative correlation was observed between case fatality rate and country-level male/female ratio, population density and economic status. These observations remained mostly among mid-/low-income countries, particularly a positive correlation between the number of cases and male/female ratio and proportion of 60+-year-olds.
Related Concept Videos
Pareto Chart
The Pareto chart is named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who described the Pareto...
Causality in Epidemiology
Correlation and Causation
Correlation versus Causation
If the dependent variable increases or decreases when the independent variable increases, there is a positive or negative...
Correlation
Two variables, for example, a and b, are said to be positively correlated if both variables move in the same direction. In other words, a positive correlation exists between two variables, a and b, if:
Correlations
Bias in Epidemiological Studies

