3 Review(s)

Recent world events have put jobs at the center of the policy debate. In advanced economies, there is concern about a jobless recovery; in developing countries, continued growth cannot shield workers who are vulnerable to shocks. Political upheavals in the Arab world have highlighted the discontent of educated youth whose employment opportunities fall short of their expectations. World Development Report 2012: Jobs explains and analyzes the connection between jobs and important dimensions of economic and social development. The Report provides analytical tools to identify the obstacles to sustained job creation and examine differences in the nature of jobs, which in turn affects the potential of jobs to raise living standards, increase aggregate productivity, and enhance social cohesion. It explores the notion of a “good job” in that some jobs do more for economic and social development than others, because they reduce poverty and inequality, strengthen value chains and production clusters, or help build trust and shared values. WDR 2013 examines efforts to stimulate production of higher value-added goods and services, boost the demand for labor, prepare today’s youth to become productive members of society, and ensure an efficient matching of supply and demand of labor. But it also looks beyond the labor market, identifying the complementary policies needed to support the necessary structural shifts and the supply of needed skills. Infrastructure development, policies for competition and innovation, reforms in educational and training systems to equip tomorrow’s workers with the relevant skills, and the architecture of social protection all have a bearing on the chances to create more and better jobs. The Report seeks to articulate a vision that cuts across sectors, addressing the dynamic links between growth strategies and jobs, and providing tools to consider policies and programs from a jobs perspective. It strives to provide a framework to address the most difficult jobs-related questions facing policy makers in developing countries.