Spatial Analysis of the Economic Resilience Index during COVID-19 in the Marginal Land of the Gunungsewu Karst Area, Gunungkidul, Indonesia

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March 2020, has significantly impacted global health, causing symptoms ranging from mild flu to severe illness and death. This condition has also severely hampered economic activities, particularly in marginalized communities such as the Gunungsewu Karst Area in Gunungkidul, Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of economic resilience during COVID-19. The study employed a combined approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods. Qualitative data collection was conducted through expert interviews to determine the weight of economic resilience factors using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Quantitative data was gathered through questionnaires. Data processing of the economic resilience index distribution was carried out using Geographic Information Systems. The results indicate that 81.36% of respondents in the marginal land of Gunungsewu earn less than the regional minimum wage, with a monthly income of less than 113.98 USD. The highest level of education for 34.69% of respondents is elementary school, and 95.92% are employed in the informal sector. The economic resilience index comprises six factors: socio-economic conditions, infrastructure, institutions, communities, natural resource utilization, and information and communication technology use. The spatial distribution of the economic resilience index varies among villages in the study area, with three distinct patterns: high-class resilience (50%), moderate-class resilience (37.5%), and low-class resilience (12.5%). This study highlights the predominance of high-class economic resilience in the research area, despite its marginal land status. Spatial analysis of the economic resilience index is crucial for informing targeted policies aimed at disaster risk reduction.