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Scapegoating and Discrimination in Times of Crisis: Evidence from Airbnb

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Luca
  • Elizaveta Pronkina
  • Michelangelo Rossi

Abstract

We present evidence that discrimination against Asian-American Airbnb users sharply increased at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a DiD approach, we find that hosts with distinctively Asian names experienced a 20 percent decline in guests relative to hosts with distinctively White names. In contrast, we do not see spikes in discrimination against Black or Hispanic hosts. Our results suggest that the rise in anti-Asian sentiment in 2020 translated to discrimination in economic activity, highlighting the ways in which scapegoating minority groups can shape markets. Our results also point to the role of platform design choices in enabling discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Luca & Elizaveta Pronkina & Michelangelo Rossi, 2022. "Scapegoating and Discrimination in Times of Crisis: Evidence from Airbnb," NBER Working Papers 30344, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30344
    Note: LE LS PE POL PR
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    Cited by:

    1. Ivaldi, Marc & Palikot, Emil, 2023. "Sharing when stranger equals danger: Ridesharing during Covid-19 pandemic," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 221-231.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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