The Green Future: Labor Market Implications for Men and Women
IMF Working Papers, July 19, 2024
Source details
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- The Green Future: Labor Market Implications for Men and Women
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Bibliographic details
- Authors: Naomi-Rose Alexander, Longji Li, Dr. Jorge Mondragon, Sahar Priano, Marina Mendes Tavares
- Published: July 19, 2024
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400284007.001
Study scope and methodology
- Examines the green transition’s effects on labor markets using a task-based framework to identify jobs with tasks that contribute, or with the potential to contribute, to the green transition.
- Analyzes data from Brazil, Colombia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Explores the interplay between green jobs, gender equity, and AI, and studies implications of AI for the expansion of green employment opportunities.
Key findings
- Proportion of workers in green jobs:
- The proportion of workers in green jobs is similar across advanced economies (AEs) and emerging markets (EMs).
- Occupational and education patterns:
- AE green job holders typically have higher education levels.
- In EMs, green job holders tend to have lower education levels.
- Gender distribution:
- Distribution of green jobs across genders is similar across countries, with men occupying over two-thirds of these positions.
- Compensation and pay gaps:
- Green jobs are characterized by a wage premium.
- Green jobs exhibit a narrower gender pay gap relative to other jobs.
Implications and insights
- Gender equity:
- Despite cross-country differences in occupational and education profiles of green job holders, gender imbalances persist with men holding the majority of green positions.
- Narrower gender pay gaps within green jobs suggest potential for the green transition to improve earnings equity, conditional on access and occupational composition.
- Role of AI:
- The study examines how AI may affect the expansion of green employment opportunities, implicating technology as a factor in shaping future green labor demand and task composition.
- Policy relevance:
- Findings provide insights for promoting a more inclusive green transition that integrates considerations of education, occupational structure, gender distribution, wage outcomes, and the influence of AI.
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- Working Paper