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COVID-19 and economic preferences: evidence from a panel of cab drivers

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This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on risk and time preferences. We use a longitudinal dataset from a survey of cab drivers in Lima (Peru) conducted before and nearly a year after the pandemic onset. We find a significant increase in risk tolerance and patience. The magnitude of the effect increases with age and becomes substantially larger for individuals 50 years and older. Our findings suggest that the pandemic could influence individuals’ behaviour and socioeconomic outcomes via another channel, namely changes in economic preferences.

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  • Fernando Aragon & Noelia Bernal & Mariano Bosch & Oswaldo Molina, 2022. "COVID-19 and economic preferences: evidence from a panel of cab drivers," Discussion Papers dp22-02, Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University.
    • Handle: RePEc:sfu:sfudps:dp22-02
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    1. Boutin, Delphine & Petifour, Laurene & Megzari, Haris, 2023. "Permanent Instability of Preferences after COVID-19 Crisis: A Natural Experiment from Urban Burkina Faso," IZA Discussion Papers 16075, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Lohmann, Paul M. & Gsottbauer, Elisabeth & You, Jing & Kontoleon, Andreas, 2023. "Anti-social behaviour and economic decision-making: Panel experimental evidence in the wake of COVID-19," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 136-171.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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