9.3.5—Employment trends

Employment trends describe how the number, type and quality of jobs change over time. They are shaped by labour-force participation, sectoral demand, technology, trade, demographics, institutions and the business cycle.

A fall in employment in one sector can coexist with overall employment growth if new sectors expand. Distinguish the number of jobs from hours, productivity, pay, security and who can access them.

Automation may reduce routine manufacturing jobs while raising demand for maintenance and design; the net employment effect depends on product demand, retraining and the speed of adjustment.

A rising employment rate does not prove every group benefits, and technological change is not automatically job-destroying or job-creating.