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.

Will the Crisis Reverse Global Migration?

The crisis will affect migration, but less than feared and in more complex ways
Jayati Ghosh
July 14, 2009

Even Labor Unions Can Gain from Free Trade

Despite dire predictions to the contrary, NAFTA has led to closer bonds between North American unions
Tamara Kay
December 23, 2003

India’s Reverse Diaspora

Indian immigrants in the West increasingly view Bangalore as a frontier for opportunity
Steven L. Raymer
December 5, 2008

The Future of Migration - Part One

Irresistible forces for another era of mass migration are building
Lant Pritchett
November 5, 2003

The Future of Migration - Part Two

Immovable ideas help prevent migration
Lant Pritchett
November 9, 2003

We Can’t Undo Globalization, But Can Improve It

Job hunters should relocate, and companies could expand export capability
Gary Pinkus, James Manyika and Sree Ramaswamy
January 10, 2017

Rethinking Labor Mobility

Mobility is not simply relocating, and requires new social and psychological mindsets
Harold James
January 4, 2017

A Tale of Two Middle Classes

Rapid development of robots gives middle classes everywhere reason to be nervous
Nayan Chanda
December 20, 2016

Can Trump – or Anyone – Bring Back US Manufacturing?

Manufacturing hits all-time high in 2015, but efficiency reduced the jobs
December 8, 2016

Promises Trump Can’t Keep

To fulfill job promises, Trump must curtail automation and productivity
Nayan Chanda
November 28, 2016