The idiosyncratic impact of an aggregate shock: the distributional consequences of COVID-19

Publication type

Understanding Society Working Paper Series

Series Number

2020-09

Series

Understanding Society Working Paper Series

Authors

Publication date

June 1, 2020

Abstract:

Using new data from the Understanding Society: COVID 19 survey collected in April 2020, we show how the aggregate shock caused by the pandemic affects individuals across the distribution. The survey collects data from existing members of the Understanding Society panel survey who have been followed for up to 10 years. Understanding Society is based on probability samples and the Understanding Society COVID19 Survey is carefully constructed to support valid population inferences. Further, the panel allows comparisons with a pre-pandemic baseline. We document how the shock of the pandemic translates into different economic shocks for different types of worker: those with less education and precarious employment face the biggest economic shocks. Some of those affected are able to mitigate the impact of the economic shocks: universal credit protects those in the bottom quintile, for example. We estimate the prevalence of the different measures individuals and households take to mitigate the shocks. We show that the opportunities for mitigation are most limited for those in need.

Subjects

Notes

Covered by over 80 media outlets worldwide

Is referenced by: Sanders, R. (2020) ‘Covid 19, low incomes and poverty’, Iriss ESSS Outlines. Glasgow: Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services.

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