Health pandemic, job losses and recovery in South Africa

Aimable Nsabimana and Michael Kilumelume

No wp-2025-77, WIDER Working Paper Series from World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER)

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic created global job losses and altered work conditions, as government mitigation measures such as lockdowns led many firms to adopt work-from-home practices. This shift had substantial impacts on labour demand and job opportunities. Using unique administrative firm job records from South Africa spanning 2018-22, we investigate the effects of the pandemic on labour demand and job opportunities, and document three main findings. First, the pandemic induced a significant reduction in employment opportunities in South Africa, with notable variations between economic sectors.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Unemployment; Working conditions; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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