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Automation Trends and Labor Markets in Latin America

Author

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  • Brambilla, Irene
  • César, Andrés
  • Falcone, Guillermo
  • Gasparini, Leonardo

Abstract

This paper studies the effects of automation of production on labor market outcomes, and whether there is an effect of automation on functional and personal inequality in Latin America. The paper combines several data sources and empirical strategies in order to approach the issues from different perspectives and to cover different dimensions of labor markets. The main issues that we focus on are: i) the hypothesis that industries with a higher share of workers performing routine tasks are more likely to be affected by automation, using indexes of task routinization by occupation; and ii) the effects of automation on industry and local labor share, employment, wages, personal inequality and poverty. We focus on seven Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru, during the period 1992-2015.

Suggested Citation

  • Brambilla, Irene & César, Andrés & Falcone, Guillermo & Gasparini, Leonardo, 2023. "Automation Trends and Labor Markets in Latin America," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13120, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:13120
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0005173
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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