The distribution of technology induced job loss: Evidence from a population-wide study in Norway

Abstract

Globalization and automation are leading to skill-biased structural changes in the labor market, resulting in the polarization of employment opportunities. These shifts are raising concerns about growing earnings inequality and gender disparities, particularly in occupations characterized by routine cognitive and physical tasks. This study utilizes comprehensive individual-level data from Norway to analyze gender differences in the routine intensity of occupations. The findings reveal significant and growing gender disparities. These disparities are most pronounced among individuals with low socioeconomic status. The analysis further identifies increasing gender differences in educational attainment as the primary contributor to the growing gender differences. Our results highlight the role of educational inequality in driving labor market disparities, emphasizing the need for targeted policy interventions to address these gendered dynamics, particularly among lower socioeconomic groups.