How to manage migration in an ageing country
With working-age populations projected to decline rapidly, all European countries face an unprecedented demographic challenge. Inflows of regular foreign workers are thus key to support
What tax data teach us about firms, trade and jobs
Where do jobs come from, and how can we learn more about firms that create them? Governments need to know which firms create employment, how
The hidden toll of Sunday store closures: New evidence from GPS data
Sunday morning store closures impose significant costs on consumers, but supporters of such ‘blue laws’ argue these rules protect workers, family life, and small retailers.
Artificial intelligence in the office and the factory: Evidence from administrative software registry data
The rapid adoption of AI in the workplace has raised concerns about job loss. This column uses data covering all AI-related commercial software registered with
Unlocking SME growth: Key lessons from Ecuador’s loan program
Governments and development institutions spend billions to help small businesses access financing, hoping this will create jobs and support inclusive economic growth. But we don’t
Detecting potentially harmful workplace practice
Businesses use checklists to exercise managerial control and ensure quality, but excessive bureaucracy can frustrate skilled workers and reduce morale. This column presents a randomised
Future jobs: AI, robots, and jobs in developing countries
Studies of the impact of robots on labour markets often conceptualise jobs as bundles of distinct tasks. In such frameworks, technologies substitute or complement workers.
The (non) effect of tariffs on manufacturing employment
The two most prominent arguments President Trump has advanced for his trade war – both during the early months of his second term, and for
Industrial policy and retaliatory protection under the WTO: Lessons from China
Industrial policy is increasingly implemented worldwide, with many policymakers and researchers highlighting its benefits. However, the cost of industrial policy remains less understood. Using Chinese
The environmental impacts of export booms in Brazil
Export booms can boost formal job growth and lead to greener employment. In Brazil, between 2000 and 2020, municipalities more exposed to exports showed higher employment
