
Wages have also stagnated, though economists are still debating the exact causes.

A leading explanation for rising US inequality is that technology is reducing demand for certain low- and middle-wage workers and increasing demand for high-skilled, higher-paid workers. A consensus of scholarly work holds that globalization has contributed marginally to rising US wage inequality, putting this factor at 10 to 20 percent. But within many countries, including the United States, inequality is rising. Globalization has helped narrow inequality between the poorest and richest people in the world, with the number living in extreme poverty cut by half since 1990. Better-paying positions have opened up in manufactured exports-especially in high-tech areas, such as computers, chemicals, and transportation equipment-and other high-skill work, notably in business services, such as finance and real estate (see Jobs section).ĭECLINE IN INEQUALITY GLOBALLY, BUT WIDER WITHIN UNITED STATES Bigger factors than trade that drive job displacements are labor-saving technologies, like automated machines and artificial intelligence. Many of them also face lower earnings or have dropped out of the workforce. 1 Low-wage workers in certain regions are most affected. Nevertheless, a Peterson Institute study finds 156,250 US manufacturing jobs were lost on net each year between 20 from expanded trade in manufactured goods, which represents less than 1 percent of the workers laid off in a typical year. It does not significantly change the total number of positions in the economy, as job numbers are primarily driven by business cycles and Federal Reserve and fiscal policies. Globalization supports new job opportunities but also contributes to job displacement. The best ideas from market leaders spread more easily. Consumers have better products and more choices as a result.Įxpanded trade spurs the spread of technology, innovation, and the communication of ideas. Technology firms have taken special advantage of their innovations this way.Ĭompetition from abroad drives US firms to improve their products. Larger markets enable companies to reach more customers and get a higher return on the fixed costs of doing business, like building factories or conducting research. For more information, see Increased Trade: A Key to Improving Productivity. See how trade helps both sides be more productive. Imagine if countries were like chefs, with different specialties. Korea was hit in 2008–09 even though the epicenter of the crisis was in the United States and Europe. This chart shows the collapse of financial inflows to South Korea during two periods, the 1997–98 Asianįinancial crisis and the global financial crisis of 2008–09, especially in “other liabilities” like bank loans. Reserves are international assets held by the US


Largely composed of bank loans) has been more volatile. This chart shows how FDI has grown steadily while the growth of portfolio holdings (foreign equity or foreign debt) and “other” assets (which are Total US liabilities to foreigners were $34 trillion in (Total US foreign assets inĢ016 were $26 trillion, equal to 140 percent of US GDP. Integrated but dropped dramatically during the global financial crisis of 2008–09. This chart shows how yearly US transactions grew over time as the global economy and financial system became increasingly They are generally held by or owed to firms, banks and other financial institutions, or governments. These include FDI, securities (which are bought and sold), and debts. Many countries have large international financial flows or investments, consisting of assets and liabilities. Separate from trade in goods and services, global financial integration is a much-debated but important topic. FAQ: What has been the role of international financial flows?
