Abstract
This paper studies the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses between March and November 2020 using new survey data on 35,000 small businesses in eight Latin American countries. We document that the pandemic had large negative impacts on employment and beliefs regarding the future, which in turn predict meaningful economic outcomes in the medium-term. Despite the unprecedented amount of aid, policies had limited impact for small and informal firms. These firms were less aware of programs, applied less, and received less assistance. This may have lasting consequences, as businesses that received aid reported better outcomes and expectations about the future.
Year of Publication
2021
Number
651
Date Published
10/2021
Citation Key
COVID-19, small business, Latin America
Neilson, C., Guerrero, M. E., Humphries, J. E., Shimberg, N., & Ulyssea, G. (2021). Small Firms and the Pandemic: Evidence From Latin America. Retrieved from http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01g732dd130 (Original work published October 2021)
Working Papers