The firm-level employment impact of COVID-19: International evidence from World Bank Group’s Enterprise Surveys

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using new data from the World Bank Group’s COVID-19 Impact Follow-up Enterprise Surveys completed in 39 countries, we find that a firm’s pre-pandemic financial condition is an important predictor of employment but only at the onset of the pandemic. Second, firms with teleworking arrangements, furloughed workers, and temporarily closed or reporting a decreased demand for products/services are more likely to reduce their workforce at extensive and intensive margins. We also found a clear effect of gender on employment. Firms with a majority of female workers are more likely to reduce their workforce than firms with a majority of male workers.