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Exploring the Labor Market Implications of the Pandemic for Women

Author

Listed:
  • Stănilă Larisa

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania.)

  • Belu Maria Berta

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania.)

  • Vasilescu Maria Denisa

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania.)

  • Militaru Eva

    (National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania.)

Abstract

The labour market has been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. Efforts to preserve employment during lockdowns have led to a significant shift toward remote work across various sectors, intensifying challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities. Our paper investigates how women were affected by the pandemic in terms of work and family. We rely on data from the Eurobarometer ‘Women in times of COVID-19’ to assess the experiences of women aged 15 and above in the 27 Member States of the European Union. A logistic regression-based approach is employed to evaluate which women were most impacted by the pandemic in terms of labour market participation and income reductions. The results revealed that women in rural areas or those being self-employed were more likely to be vulnerable. Furthermore, women caring for children under 15 encountered substantial difficulties in the labour market. Income reduction and decreased labour market participation were also challenging for women who experienced a negative impact on their mental health due to government measures during the pandemic or those who became more financially dependent on partners or family members.

Suggested Citation

  • Stănilă Larisa & Belu Maria Berta & Vasilescu Maria Denisa & Militaru Eva, 2024. "Exploring the Labor Market Implications of the Pandemic for Women," Journal of Social and Economic Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 13(2), pages 14-34.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:jsesro:v:13:y:2024:i:2:p:14-34:n:1002
    DOI: 10.2478/jses-2024-0007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    vulnerable groups; women’s labour market participation; labour market challenges; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • C35 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions

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