Increased technology use might widen the gender pay gap
Roughly 40 million to 160 million female workers may need to transition to other occupations and adopt different skills by 2030 to remain employed, according to an analysis of how job creation and automation trends could unfold in six economies.
While the research found women may be only slightly less at risk than men of their job being completely displaced by automation, even if female workers remain in their current roles, as new technology is adopted, their positions could become at least partially automated.
Given that, in both mature and emerging economies, data shows more men tend to be employed in higher paying occupations than women, female workers, according to the research, will need to take advantage of opportunities to transition between occupations as automation in the workplace becomes more prevalent to maintain their current share of employment.
Women who are able to successfully transition could end up achieving work with better pay; women who can’t, though, may face a growing gender pay gap.
For more thoughts on how technology will change jobs in the future, including which roles might become partially automated, view this information about the McKinsey report on the research.