COVID-19: Crisis and labor market recovery in Argentina, the United States, Italy, and Mexico

Abstract

The structure of labor markets and the institutions that regulate them play a crucial role in shaping labor dynamics across different stages of the economic cycle. During the COVID-19 crisis, regulatory institutions were further supplemented by public health measures. To analyze how distinct labor structures and regulations influence labor market behavior, this article examines the impacts of the crisis and the speed of employment recovery across different institutional and economic contexts. Utilizing labor force surveys, a descriptive study was conducted to track changes in the level, characteristics, and dynamics of labor force participation and employment in Argentina, the United States, Italy, and Mexico, evaluated through the lens of each country's specific institutional arrangements.