job polarization

Job polarization refers to the growing divide in the labor market, where high-skill, high-paying jobs and low-skill, low-paying jobs increase, while middle-skill jobs decline. This trend is often driven by technological advancements and automation, which replace routine tasks typically found in middle-skill occupations. As a result, workers either find themselves in high-skilled positions requiring advanced education or in low-skilled jobs with fewer opportunities for advancement. This shift can contribute to economic inequality and impact social mobility, as those in the middle face fewer job options and challenges in achieving financial stability.