The role of migration in weak labour force developments during the COVID-19 pandemic

Katalin Bodnár and Derry O'Brien

Economic Bulletin Boxes, 2022, vol. 1

Abstract: This box assesses the role of migration in weak labour force developments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The labour force in the euro area remains well below the dynamics expected before the outbreak of the pandemic. This gap reflects both a weaker than expected growth in the working age population and a lower than expected labour force participation rate. Subdued net immigration may have contributed to these developments, with some foreign workers resettling in their home countries. It is likely that several factors have weighed on inward migration flows, including weaker employment prospects, travel restrictions and pervasive uncertainty induced by the pandemic. The share of foreign workers in the euro area may gradually converge towards the levels expected pre-pandemic, but risks are overall tilted to the downside. JEL Classification: E32, J11, J21

Keywords: COVID-19; labour supply; Migration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-02
Note: 2881411
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