Tracking how people’s lives are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can enable policymakers to better understand the situation in their countries and make data-driven policy decisions. To respond to this need, IPA has developed the RECOVR survey—a panel survey that will facilitate comparisons, document real-time trends of policy concern, and inform decision-makers about the communities that are hardest-hit by the economic toll of the pandemic. In Mexico, the survey is focused on Greater Mexico City and includes additional questions about employment and challenges with returning to work, as well as policing and insecurity.  

Researchers:
Shana Warren, Doug Parkerson, Elliott Collins
Country:
Mexico
Program Area:
Agriculture, Education, Financial Inclusion, Governance, Health, Peace and Recovery, Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Protection
Partners:
Government of Mexico City
Study Type:
Descriptive / Surveillance
Timeline:
June-July 2020
Implemented by IPA:
Yes
Impact Goals:
Build resilience and protect the financial health of families and individuals; Build resilient and adaptable businesses and employment opportunities; Improve social-safety net responses; Improve women’s health, safety, and economic empowerment; Keep children safe, healthy, and learning; Promote peace and safety, and improve humanitarian response; Reduce COVID-19 transmission rates
Outcomes of Interest:
Some of the key questions the survey aims to answer at the global level include the size and scope of the disruptions to government service provision, work disruptions and type of disruptions, whether and how households with school-aged children are spending time on education since schools have been closed, extent to which people are skipping necessary healthcare, identification of populations most at risk of skipping necessary healthcare. The Mexico survey focuses on work and income, policing and insecurity, health symptoms and care, COVID-19 mitigation behavior, education, social safety net support received, food and market security, and financial health.
Data Collection Mode:
CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing)
Link to Related RECOVR Questionnaire:
RECOVR Mexico Survey, Round 1
External Website:
poverty-action.org
Public Data:
dataverse.harvard.edu
Results Status:
Results
Link to Results:
Link to the results presentation (in Spanish)
Key Findings:
 
  • More than 40% of respondents report that they perceive their household to be at risk of contracting COVID-19. For those who do not feel at risk, 70% of respondents report following preventive measures.
  • More than 50% of employed individuals have been paid less (earned less) than in a typical week before schools closed.
  • More than 30% of respondents say they have exhausted their savings to cover essential expenses since February 2020.
  • More than 60% of respondents indicate that they cannot afford the amount of food they used to buy before the pandemic because household income has decreased or because the price of food is now too high.
  • More than 90% of respondents say that primary and secondary school-age children in their household have continued educational activities from home.
  • 45% of respondents perceive that insecurity in their neighborhoods has increased since the beginning of the pandemic.