How Has COVID-19 Impacted Research Productivity in Economics and Finance?

Abstract

Following the onset of COVID-19 around the world in March of 2020, research productivity in economics and finance (measured by the posting of working papers) increased by 35%. Part of this increase was due to research related to COVID-19, but productivity went up even excluding COVID papers. Productivity increases were widespread across geographies, job titles, and departments, with particularly large increases in top-10 departments. Individuals of all ages experienced productivity gains, with particularly large increases for people under 35. Men and women both experienced productivity increases with the exception of women between the age of 35 and 49, who experienced no productivity gains despite large increases for men in the same age group.

Keywords: COVID-19, research productivity, gender inequality

JEL Classification: A11, A14, J24, J16