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COVID-19 and gender disparities: Labour market outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Singh, Vikkram
  • Shirazi, Homayoun
  • Turetken, Jessica

Abstract

The study explores the effect of COVID-19 on labour market outcomes for women in the major urban areas in Canada. Using data from the Labour Force Statistics, we find the pandemic has had a disproportionately negative impact on the employment and income of women, worsening gender inequalities. Sectors more likely to employ women faced immense negative pressures, leading to dismal employment numbers. The effects of continued lockdowns and future potential inflation suggest that gender wage disparity continues to increase, worsening the economic health of women and making them even more vulnerable to future event risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Singh, Vikkram & Shirazi, Homayoun & Turetken, Jessica, 2022. "COVID-19 and gender disparities: Labour market outcomes," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(3), pages 206-217.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reecon:v:76:y:2022:i:3:p:206-217
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2022.07.011
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    2. Kattih, Nour & Mansour, Fady, 2024. "The impact of the COVID pandemic on health, healthcare utilization, and healthcare spending," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(2).
    3. Acevedo, Ivonne & Castellani, Francesca & Lotti, Giulia & Székely, Miguel, 2022. "Labor Market Gender Gaps in the Time of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 12568, Inter-American Development Bank.
    4. Eiji Yamamura & Fumio Ohtake, 2026. "Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Altered the Traditional View about Women's Active Work?," Papers 2603.09637, arXiv.org.
    5. Aminou Arouna & Souleïmane A. Adekambi & Rachidi Aboudou & Wilfried Gnipabo Yergo & Gaudiose Mujawamariya, 2024. "Impact assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic on the income and food security of rice smallholder producers in five African countries," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(11), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Ovchynnykova, Oleksandra, . "COVID-19 as a Catalyst of Food Security Crisis. Whether the Existing System of Agriculture Can Remain the Same," Problems of World Agriculture / Problemy Rolnictwa Światowego, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, vol. 22(4).
    7. 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.
    8. Moulin, Léonard & Soncin, Mara, 2025. "Persistent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student outcomes in Italy," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(2).

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