Economic Insecurity

Economic insecurity is the uncertainty and anxiety related to sources of income and provisions. Its sources are economic loss faced by economic actors, workers, and households as they encounter their food and housing expenses alongside the unpredictable events of social life. The intersectionality of inequalities related to class, gender, race/ethno-national/religion, and special needs/disabilities shape the value of resources controlled by economic actors, workers, and households for overcoming unpredictable events. Polarization among workers similar in skill and demographics, de-skilling as the preference for cheaper labor over skilled service providers, and “povertization” of employees in low-quality jobs currently contribute to distinct levels of dependency on social insurance programs and, hence, distinct levels of exposure to economic insecurity. When country-level policies flatten entitlements for social insurance and refrain ...