Adams-Prassl, A., Boneva, T., Golin, M. and Rauh, C.

Inequality in the Impact of the Coronavirus Shock: Evidence from Real Time Surveys

Journal of Public Economics

Vol. 189 (2020)

Abstract: We present real time survey evidence from the UK, US and Germany showing that the immediate labor market impacts of Covid-19 differ considerably across countries. Employees in Germany, which has a well-established short-time work scheme, are substantially less likely to be affected by the crisis. Within countries, the impacts are highly unequal and exacerbate existing inequalities. Workers in alternative work arrangements and who can only do a small share of tasks from home are more likely to have lost their jobs and suffered falls in earnings. Women and less educated workers are more affected by the crisis.

Keywords: Recessions, Inequality, Labor market, Job loss, Furlough, Short-time work, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Working from home, Gender gap

JEL Codes: J21, J22, J24, J33, J63

Author links: Christopher Rauh  

Publisher's Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104245

Open Data link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047272720301092#s0010

COVID-19 Economic Research Special Feature: COVID-19 and the Effect on Workers

Keynes Fund Project(s):
The Impact of Automation and Fears of Job Displacement on Political Preferences (JHUQ)  

Cambridge Working Paper in Economics Version of Paper: Inequality in the Impact of the Coronavirus Shock: Evidence from Real Time Surveys, Adams-Prassl, A., Boneva, T., Golin, M. and Rauh, C., (2020)