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Labour market polarization in South Africa: A decomposition analysis

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  • Rob Davies
  • Dirk van Seventer

Abstract

There is evidence from developed countries that technical change affects not only the employment intensity of production, but also the occupational composition of employment. The use of artificial intelligence, automation, and robots has changed the skills composition of employment. A range of 'routine' tasks are being replaced by machines which has led to polarization: a relative increase in higher level and in lower level jobs. This paper is concerned with examining the extent to which labour market polarization has taken place in South Africa over the period 1993-2017.

Suggested Citation

  • Rob Davies & Dirk van Seventer, 2020. "Labour market polarization in South Africa: A decomposition analysis," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-17, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2020-17
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. David H. Autor & Frank Levy & Richard J. Murnane, 2003. "The skill content of recent technological change: an empirical exploration," Proceedings, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, issue Nov.
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    6. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/7vl4otetog8c6aaomlbfjid6fp is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Ms. Mitali Das & Benjamin Hilgenstock, 2018. "The Exposure to Routinization: Labor Market Implications for Developed and Developing Economies," IMF Working Papers 2018/135, International Monetary Fund.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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