Women's income distribution in Indonesia before and after COVID-19

Abstract

In the past ten years, women’s income contribution in the household has shown a progressive trend in Indonesia, which frames up the important role of women's income supporting the household economy. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the government implemented the large- scale social restrictions to control the COVID-19 spread, putting women as vulnerable group in the society. This study unraveled the impact on women’s income distribution before and after COVID-19. Cross sectional data was collected from 2013-2022 using the National Labor Force Survey by Statistics Indonesia, classifying 2013 to 2019 as the year before COVID-19 and the year after COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022. Consumer Price Index (CPI) was used to adjust the income. The regression result discovered the evidence that women’s income has been declining after COVID-19. However, the findings revealed that women's status as the head of the household doesn’t experience lower income after COVID-19. This decrease was identified in women marital status, bachelor degree or equivalent level, overwork setting, and employment status as self-own worker. This finding may be used as a resource for the Indonesian government to enhancing policy effectiveness for strengthening women's reciliency and narrowing the income gap between gender.