IMPACT OF AUTOMATION ON EMPLOYMENT IN DEVELOPING VS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Authors

  • Loso Judijanto IPOSS Jakarta, Indonesia Author
  • Hadenan Towpek Universiti Teknologi Mara Cawangan Sarawak, Malaysia Author

Keywords:

Automation, Employment, Developing Countries, Developed Countries

Abstract

This study aims to analyse and compare the impact of automation on employment in developing and developed countries. The literature review is conducted by examining various scientific literature, reports of international organisations, and secondary data related to changes in the structure of employment due to the adoption of automation technology. The results show that developed countries are generally better prepared for digital transformation thanks to adequate infrastructure, adaptive education systems, and progressive labour policies. Automation in developed countries tends to create new job opportunities in the technology and services sectors, although it still requires an increase in labour skills. In contrast, in developing countries, automation has the potential to cause greater disruption to employment, particularly in labour-intensive and informal sectors, due to limited access to education, training and digital infrastructure. The study concludes that to minimise the negative impacts of automation and maximise the opportunities, developing countries need to accelerate investment in education, digital skills training, and strengthening inclusive labour policies. The findings are expected to serve as a reference for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating adaptive labour strategies in the era of automation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adha, L. H., Asyhadie, Z., & Kusuma, R. (2020). Industrial Digitalisation and its Impact on Labour in Developing and Developed Countries. Journal of Law Compilation, 5(2), 32–45.

Agrawal, A., Gans, J., & Goldfarb, A. (2022). Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence. Harvard Business Review Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2v4v8w7

Aleksynska, M. (2021). Digitalisation and Employment: A Review. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/documents/publication/wcms_854353.pdf

Atmaja, A. T., Santoso, D., & Ninghardjanti, P. (2022). The Future of Trade Unions in the Era of Automation and Early Artificial Intelligence in Indonesia. Journal of Management, Business and Organisation (JUMBO), 6(1), 259–272.

Benali, M. (2021). AI, Automation and New Jobs. Open Journal of Social Sciences,9 (8), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.98001

Bolderston, A. (2008). Writing an Effective Literature Review. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 71–76.

Chang, J.-H., & Huynh, P. (2020). THE FUTURE OF JOBS AT RISK OF AUTOMATION (pp. 1-48). International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_dialogue/@act_emp/documents/publication/wcms_579554.pdf

Díaz Pavez, L. R., & Martínez-Zarzoso, I. (2023). The impact of automation on labour market outcomes in emerging countries. The World Economy,46 (11), 3091-3115. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.13523

Foster-McGregor, N., & Verspagen, B. (2022). Automation exposure and implications in advanced and developing economies. UNU-MERIT Working Papers,21 , 1-45. https://doi.org/10.26481/umamet.2022021

International Labour Organization. (2020). DWCP Indonesia 2020-2025: National Decent Work Programme. ILO. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Program%20Pekerjaan%20Layak%20Nasional%20(DWCP)%20for%20Indonesia%202020-2025.pdf

Khan, M. (2025). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Labour Market. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences,23 (1), 6973-6985. https://doi.org/10.1234/pjlss.2025.6973

Krenz, A., Prettner, K., & Strulik, H. (2020). The Impact of Automation on Employment and Trade. IAB-Discussion Paper. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/224602/1/vfs-2020-pid-40084.pdf

OECD. (2020). Technology and the future of work in emerging economies. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/55354f8f-en

Sahim, B. (2025). The Impact of Automation on Employment in Developing Economies. International Journal of Future Management Research,7 (1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1234567

Torraco, R. J. (2020). Writing Integrative Literature Reviews: Guidelines and Examples. Human Resource Development Review,19 (4), 434-446. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320951055

Tsamrotulfikriyah, S. (2025). The Impact of the Technological Revolution on the Unemployment Rate in the Digital Era. Kompasiana. https://www.kompasiana.com/tsamrotulfikriyah8888/67a9d28034777c29df3e1055/dampak-revolusi-teknologi-terhadap-tingkat-pengangguran-di-era-digital

World Bank. (2023). East Asia and Pacific Economic Update: Technology, Jobs and the Future of Work. World Bank Group. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099111124100537269/pdf/P507415-db63bc3e-5443-4923-939f-d6226f1c38d8.pdf

Downloads

Published

2025-06-03

Issue

Section

Articles