SHE canÕt afford it and HE doesnÕt want it: The gender gap in the COVID-19 consumption response

Stefanie Huber

No 22-029/II, Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers from Tinbergen Institute

Abstract: This paper explores whether and why the pandemic differentially altered women and menÕs consumption behavior. After the 2020 wave of lockdown restrictions were lifted, women reduced consumption more than men. Data on self-reported reasons for consuming less reveals that gender differences in infection risk aversion and precautionary saving motives are small. I find consider- able gender differences in the reporting of affordability constraints and consumer preference shifts. Women report financial constraints more frequently. Men adapted more to the limited consumption possibilities during the lockdown and frequently reported Ònot missingÓ various items as the primary reason for spending less than pre-pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; gender gap; gender equality; household consumption; consumer preferences; experience effects; fiscal policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D12 D14 D30 E21 G50 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-04-15
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-gen and nep-mac
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tin:wpaper:20220029

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