Jobs are the lifeblood for national economies and family budgets. The search for economic opportunity often drives people to move around the globe. The most educated and highly skilled workers are in demand, and immigration policies often reflect that priority. Less skilled would-be immigrants, however, are often subject to tighter restrictions – even in nations where native citizens refuse to take on harvesting, construction, cleaning or other difficult tasks. Advanced technology reduces the need for labor; employers also rely on outsourcing, contract workers and the internet for digital work, including tax preparation, X-ray analysis or graphic design. Nations fiercely compete for jobs while multinational corporations reduce labor costs to increase profits.

The Tale of Two Middle Classes

Asia’s middle classes, poor by US or EU standards, are globalization’s winners
Branko Milanovic
July 31, 2014

Europe Divided Over Immigration, Work Ethics

Aging, wealthy Europe turns on immigrants for a willingness to work for low wages
Pallavi Aiyar
June 5, 2014

Differing Approaches to Immigration on Two Sides of the Atlantic

Fierce opposition to immigration festers in US and Europe – the US political backlash will be less severe
Michael Mandelbaum
April 24, 2014

The US Economy Grows, But Jobs Don’t

Confounded by off-shoring and technology, macro-management does not produce job growth
Ashok Bardhan
March 13, 2014

Compete in the World? Yes, Indians Can

Indian workers perform well and earn top incomes in most places except India
Kishore Mahbubani
January 14, 2014

Easing One-Child Policy May Be Too Late

China’s one-child policy lifted living standards, but set a hard-to- reverse trend of demographic decline
Joseph Chamie
January 7, 2014