Unexpected positive correlation between human development index and risk of infections and deaths of COVID-19 in Italy

Abstract

In this analysis, we observed that human development index (an integrated index of life expectation, education and living standard) correlates with infection rate (proportion of confirmed cases among the population) and the fatality rate of COVID-19 in Italy based on data as of May 15, 2020. Further analysis showed that HDI is negatively correlated with cigarette consumption, whereas it is positively correlated with chronic disease and average annual gross salary. These factors may partially explain why unexpected positive correlation is observed between human development index and risk of infections and deaths of COVID-19 in Italy.