This paper studies the short-run employment effects of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Using a difference-in-difference analysis, the paper finds that DOGE reduced Black women’s federal employment by 25%. The paper does not find statically significant effects for other demographic groups. Between 20-40% of the disparate impact on Black women can be explained by baseline differences in age, education, occupational composition. In metropolitan areas with more federal employees at baseline, Black women experienced greater decreases in labor force participation. Taken together, these results underscore the historic and continued importance of public sector employment for economic advancement for Black women.
Changing Rent-Sharing in the Economy
Working Papers
When (Government) Work Disappears: Disparate Employment Effects of DOGE in the Short-Run
May 2025