Women had larger increases in labor force exits than men during the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases were particularly large among women living with children. After controlling for detailed job and demographic characteristics, we find that the pandemic led to significant excess labor force exits among women living with children under age six. We also find evidence of larger increases in exits among lower-earning women living with school-aged children. The presence of children also predicted larger increases in exits during the pandemic among Latina and Black women relative to White women. Overall, we find evidence that pandemic induced disruptions to childcare, including informal care from family and friends, led to additional labor force exits by lower earning women and women of color.
JEL Numbers: J16, J70, H31, I14, I18