Unequal consequences of Covid 19: representative evidence from six countries

Abstract

Covid-19 and the measures taken to contain it have led to unprecedented constraints on work and leisure activities, across the world. This paper uses nationally representative surveys to document how people of different ages and incomes have been affected in the early phase of the pandemic. The data was collected in six countries (China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, UK, and US) in the third week of April 2020. First, we document changes in job circumstances and social activities. Second, we document self-reported negative and positive consequences of the crisis on well-being. We find that young people have experienced more drastic changes to their life and have been most affected economically and psychologically. There is less of a systematic pattern across income groups. While lower income groups have been more affected economically, higher income groups have experienced more changes in their social life and spending. A large fraction of people of low and high income groups report negative effects on well-being.

Acceptability of Research and Health Care Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Survey Study

“…Although we do not have additional data to explain this finding, it is possible that the greater news coverage of biomedical research during the pandemic has increased individuals' appreciation for this scientific process [11] and increased individuals' interest in participating in research. It also may be possible that some individuals (especially younger adults and those with high incomes [12,13]) have experienced increased scheduling flexibility due to the pandemic (eg, due to cancelled travel and events and restrictions on many leisure-time activities [14]) and thus may have more free time to participate in research.…”

Zoomshock: The Geography and Local Labour Market Consequences of Working from Home

“…Second, this paper documents considerable heterogeneity in the impact of lockdowns across age groups. These findings are quite relevant for the ongoing debate on the distribution of costs and benefits across generations (Belot et al, 2020;. While lockdowns protect mainly older people that are more likely to develop serious medical conditions from COVID-19, they impose economic costs especially on working age people that rely on labor income to support consumption.…”

“…Furthermore, younger workers often have less stable job contracts that are more likely to be terminated during a crisis. Survey based evidence confirms that younger people have been more likely to suffer an income loss during the pandemic (Belot et al, 2020;. The fact that lockdowns impose a disproportionate economic burden on the young-while protecting mostly the old given the higher health risks-calls for policy intervention to ensure inter-generational fairness .…”

Factors Associated with Financial Security, Food Security and Quality of Daily Lives of Residents in Nigeria during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The economic shock caused by the pandemic may also affect men and women differently. Women's jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic than men's jobs [16]. Women make up 39% of global employment but account for 54% of overall job losses [16] with concerns that the pandemic may widen the existing gender inequality in job placements [17,18].…”

“…Women's jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic than men's jobs [16]. Women make up 39% of global employment but account for 54% of overall job losses [16] with concerns that the pandemic may widen the existing gender inequality in job placements [17,18]. There also may be age, income and educational status differences in the impact of the pandemic.…”