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The Influence of COVID-19 on Young Women’s Labor Market Aspirations and Expectations in India

Author

Listed:
  • Anukriti, S
  • Herrera-Almanza, Catalina
  • Ochmann, Sophie

Abstract

Youth unemployment and gender gaps in labor market outcomes are key policy challenges across developing countries. Young job-seekers may struggle to find jobs because of their biased beliefs and unrealistic aspirations about the labor market. This study examines whether exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the labor market aspirations and expectations of female vocational students in Haryana, India. Exposure to the pandemic lowered young women’s wage aspirations and made them more realistic, especially in rural areas. A potential mechanism for these effects was the decline in rural women’s willingness to migrate for work due to the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Anukriti, S & Herrera-Almanza, Catalina & Ochmann, Sophie, 2024. "The Influence of COVID-19 on Young Women’s Labor Market Aspirations and Expectations in India," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10808, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:10808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eliana Carranza & David McKenzie, 2024. "Job Training and Job Search Assistance Policies in Developing Countries," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 38(1), pages 221-244, Winter.
    2. Kelley, Erin M. & Ksoll, Christopher & Magruder, Jeremy, 2024. "How do digital platforms affect employment and job search? Evidence from India," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    3. Chakravorty, Bhaskar & Bhatiya, Apurav Yash & Imbert, Clément & Lohnert, Maximilian & Panda, Poonam & Rathelot, Roland, 2023. "Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on India’s rural youth: Evidence from a panel survey and an experiment," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    4. Hogan, Vincent, 2004. "Wage aspirations and unemployment persistence," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(8), pages 1623-1643, November.
    5. Ashwini Deshpande, 2022. "The Covid-19 pandemic and gendered division of paid work, domestic chores and leisure: evidence from India’s first wave," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 39(1), pages 75-100, April.
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