Afraid of the Future: Gender Labor Gap and Pandemic—A Comparative Perspective for Latin America

Across Latin America, digital technologies helped cushion some of the pandemic’s worst effects, creating new opportunities that were not equally distributed between men and women. This study analyzed three waves of Latinobarometer data across 17 countries before, during, and after the pandemic to examine gender differences in labor perceptions and digital skills. The findings indicate that women consistently reported higher levels of perceived poverty and greater concern about unemployment than men. To assess the digital labor divide, the study developed a Digital Dexterity Index (DDI) based on social media use and educational attainment. Results indicate that the pandemic accelerated digital skill development for both genders, with statistically significant changes over time. Although women generally scored slightly higher than men on the DDI, patterns varied across countries. The study highlights a paradox: higher digital dexterity among women did not translate into greater confidence or security in the future of work. Despite their stronger digital skills, women expressed greater anxiety about their future labor-market prospects than men.