Import Shocks and Gendered Labor Market Responses: Evidence from Mexico

Pia Heckl

Publication: Working/Discussion PaperWU Working Paper

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Abstract

This paper studies gender differences in the labor market reallocation of workers in Mexico as a response to trade liberalization with China. To measure exposure to import competition, I exploit variation in the initial industry structure of Mexican local labor markets. I show that aggregate outcomes mask heterogeneous responses based on gender. Although the employment rate drops for both men and women, the former enter into unemployment while the latter leave the labor force. The results suggest that the drop in the female labor force participation rate is driven by their exit out of formal and especially informal work.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationVienna
PublisherWU Vienna University of Economics and Business
Number of pages42
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2022

Publication series

SeriesDepartment of Economics Working Paper Series
Number327

WU Working Paper Series

  • Department of Economics Working Paper Series

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