Gottlieb, CharlesCharlesGottliebGrobovsek, JanJanGrobovsekPoschke, MarkusMarkusPoschkeFernando, SaltielSaltielFernando2023-04-132023-04-132020-06-18https://www.alexandria.unisg.ch/handle/20.500.14171/112025We measure the effect of lockdown policies on employment and GDP across countries using individual- and sector-level data. Employment effects depend on the ability to work from home, which ranges from about half of total employment in rich countries to around 35% in poor countries. This gap reflects differences in occupational composition, self-employment levels, and individual characteristics across countries. GDP effects of lockdown policies also depend on countries' sectoral structure. Losses in poor countries are attenuated by their higher value- added share in essential sectors, notably agriculture. Overall, a realistic lockdown policy implies GDP losses of 20-25% on an annualized basis.enjournal article