The Great Plague of London (1665): Economic and Labor Market Devastation

The 1665 plague killed ~100,000 (≈20% of London’s population). Economic consequences were profound:

• Labor shortage: Deaths and flight of workers → wage increases for survivors, but also production collapse.
• Trade disruption: Port closures, quarantine, loss of merchant ships.
• Business failures: Crafts, retail, entertainment ceased; apprenticeships interrupted.
• Migration: Wealthy fled to country; poor remained, facing starvation.
• Government response: Plague orders (isolation, burial regulations), parish relief, but overwhelmed.
• Long‑term: Accelerated labor market changes, contributed to later Poor Law reforms.

The plague reshaped London’s demography and economy, foreshadowing modern pandemic economic impacts.