Employment Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic Across Metropolitan Status and Size

38 Pages Posted: 14 Jul 2020

See all articles by Seung Jin Cho

Seung Jin Cho

Korea Institute for International Economic Policy

Jun Yeong Lee

Iowa State University, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Department of Economics, Students

John V. Winters

Iowa State University - Department of Economics

Abstract

We examine effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment losses across metropolitan area status and population size. Non-metropolitan and metropolitan areas of all sizes experienced significant employment losses, but the impacts are much larger in large metropolitan areas. Employment losses manifest as increased unemployment, labor force withdrawal, and temporary absence from work. We examine the role of individual and local area characteristics in explaining differing employment losses across metropolitan status and size. The local COVID-19 infection rate is a major driver of differences across MSA size. Industry mix and employment density also matter. The pandemic significantly altered urban economic activity.

Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic, employment, agglomeration, urbanization, cities, density

JEL Classification: J2, R2

Suggested Citation

Cho, Seung Jin and Lee, Jun Yeong and Winters, John V., Employment Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic Across Metropolitan Status and Size. IZA Discussion Paper No. 13468, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3648808 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3648808

Seung Jin Cho (Contact Author)

Korea Institute for International Economic Policy ( email )

[30147] Building C, Sejong National Research Compl
Seoul, 370
Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

Jun Yeong Lee

Iowa State University, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Department of Economics, Students ( email )

260 Heady Hall
Ames, IA 50011
United States

John V. Winters

Iowa State University - Department of Economics ( email )

260 Heady Hall
Ames, IA 50011
United States

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