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How do Workers Adjust to Robots? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Osea Giuntella
  • Yi Lu
  • Tianyi Wang

Abstract

We analyse the effects of exposure to industrial robots on labour market adjustments, exploring longitudinal household data from China. We find that a one-standard-deviation increase in robot exposure led to a decline in labour force participation (−1%), employment (−7%) and hourly earnings (−8%) of Chinese workers. At the same time, among those who kept working, robot exposure increased the number of hours worked by 8%. These effects were concentrated among the less educated and larger among male, prime-age and older workers. We also find that more exposed workers increased their participation in technical training and were significantly more likely to retire earlier.

Suggested Citation

  • Osea Giuntella & Yi Lu & Tianyi Wang, 2025. "How do Workers Adjust to Robots? Evidence from China," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 135(666), pages 637-652.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:econjl:v:135:y:2025:i:666:p:637-652.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/ej/ueae086
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wanqing Liao & Nan Zhao & Zizhe Zhang, 2025. "Can robots improve gender equality: an assessment based on household labor," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1487-1525, December.
    2. Wang, Linlin & Liu, Chun & Liu, Ding & Zhang, Yi, 2025. "Beyond jobs and wages: The hidden cost of automation on corporate social security contributions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    3. Qingen Gai & Shiqi Guo & Lianyi Hu & Xi Zhu, 2025. "Robots, routine jobs, and rural migrant workers: evidence from China," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 38(4), pages 1-30, December.
    4. Changkeun LEE & Olivia Hye KIM & Hwanoong LEE, 2026. "How will automation reshape worker well-being? Evidence from a highly automated economy," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Milena Nikolova & Anthony Lepinteur & Femke Cnossen, 2025. "Just another cog in the machine? A worker‐level view of robotization and tasks," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 92(368), pages 1101-1148, October.
    6. Marco De Simone & Dario Guarascio & Jelena Reljic, 2025. "The impact of robots on workplace injuries and deaths:Empirical evidence from Europe," Working Papers in Public Economics 255, Department of Economics and Law, Sapienza University of Rome.
    7. Hyejin Kim, 2026. "Robot Effects on Worker's Compensation Benefits," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(2), pages 139-144, February.
    8. Yuanyuan Li & Yingshang Tang & Dawei Feng & Haoyu Hu, 2026. "Industrial Robots and the Social Integration of Migrants," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 34(3), pages 118-150, May.
    9. Xiaoxia Wang & Lei Li & Gang Xu, 2025. "Robots and gender inequality: Evidence from Chinese firms," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 39(3), pages 279-312, September.
    10. Qiao, Gang & Kong, Dongmin & Liu, Lihua, 2025. "Higher education expansion and the adoption of robots in China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    11. Li, Weibing & Li, Mingyang & Chen, Siyuan, 2025. "Automation and household conflict: How industrial robots reduce domestic violence risk," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(PB).
    12. Meng, Weilu & Lu, Weijie & Yuan, Gecheng & Zhou, Li, 2025. "Automation and stock market participation," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    13. Tianding Zhang & Sumei Gan, 2025. "Industrial Robot Adoption, Human Capital, and Global Value Chain Upgrading: Insights from China," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 33(2), pages 209-251, March.

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