Public Assistance Programs Help Mitigate the Adverse Economic Effects of Covid-19 on Argentine Households

Date
2023-02Author
Martinez Correa, Julian
Cruces, Guillermo
Menduiña, Juan
Puig, Jorge
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Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant
economic crisis in Argentina. GDP fell by 19% in the
second quarter of 2020, while unemployment rates
soared. As a result, 1.5 million people have fallen
into poverty.
Particularly affected were informal workers and
those employed in the tourism sector. In addition,
the pandemic's impact on the labor market
disproportionately affected women.
The gender-based difference was particularly stark among young adults (18-24): while the employment
rate for men fell by 63%, it fell by 80% for women.
Moreover, young adult women with children are also
at high risk of unemployment. Employment rates for
young fathers have declined by nearly 57%, while
those for young mothers have plummeted by 82%.
With Argentina's worsening socio-economic
conditions, it is critical to understand what policy
options most effectively mitigate the pandemic's
adverse effects.