Thirty-one million women around the world could lose their jobs because of the pandemic — more than double the 13 million men — as the global economy has been pummelled during government-imposed lockdowns.

The loss of women in the workforce, caused by the fact they are more likely to work in hard-hit sectors, and the prevalence of female caretakers, threatens progress made on the gender pay gap, a report by US bank Citigroup has found. It would also slash global GDP by about $1tn. The hit would represent 1.2% of the 3.2% drop in GDP that is expected for 2020.