The world-wide famine for jobs... (update)

Two pictures on (un)employment grabbed my attention this morning. The first shows how dramatic the last decade has been for job creation, in this case for the United States. The second shows the very poor situation of migrants in several countries, and the worst of all in Belgium.

TheUShas not created (per saldo) any job over the last decade, in spite of:

* growth of the US population of around 0,25%-0,5% per annum

* positive GDP growth

* tremendous credit growth

* technologic progress

* globalisation

The last two points might of course be seen as possible factors explaining the poor state of employment in the US.

The second picture shows theratio of migrant unemployed to native unemployed. In Belgium there are 2,5 migrant unemployed for every native unemployed, compared to a 1 on 1 ratio in the US. These figures have been releasedyesterday by the OECD. The very bad result for Belgium and other countries can be explained by a very strong growth of immigration as from 2000, a relatively low level of unemployment in the native population. Furthermore, economic integration of the foreign born active population is very poor. Partly due to poor education levels, inadequate skills, expensive labour in low added value categories etc.

But apart from all the local factors, there is also a global problem of unemployment. Even in China, unemployment is becoming a problem. There is a global famine for jobs. This is a complex problem that should be tackled, as it creates frustration, social problems and personal problems. Having a job, playing an economic role in society, means much more than just an income. Human beings need such activities to have selfpride, joy and a meaning in life. Economists should therefore think about it, as much as they think about deficits, stock markets and banks.

Een teleurstellende analyse in DM over de cijfers van de OESO, met een potsierlijke conclusie dat ik met de auteur maar eens op stap moet in de Antwerpse horeca. De auteur zou wetenschappelijk medewerker zijn.

http://demorgen.be/dm/nl/2461/De-Gedachte/article/detail/1140505/2010/08/03/De-halve-waarheden-over-migrantenarbeid.dhtml#reactions