COVID-19 and the immediate impact on young people and employment in Australia: A gendered analysis

Abstract

Young people have been regarded as "not at risk" of coronavirus, but what about the economic impact of social distancing and "lockdowns" arising from the pandemic? How have young women fared in comparison to young men? To address these questions, this study draws upon data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, comparing young men and women and their older counterparts. The study also uses the Global Financial Crisis as a reference point to compare the immediate impact of COVID-19 on young people. Results suggest that young people have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 compared to older Australians. Young women in particular are being exposed to the economic fallout, especially those women in their 20s, wanting more work and more hours. COVID-19 threatens to erode some of the gains women have made in recent decades in terms of participation unless governments act to provide opportunities and support for young women.