A historical analysis of US employment trends over 150 years

Employment trends are a reflection of economic, technological, and societal transformations. Understanding employment trends over time is crucial for policymakers, economists, and business leaders. The visualization of 150 years of United States (US) employment history illustrates major shifts in sectoral employment shares, revealing the impact of industrialization, automation, and globalization.

   In the late 19th century, agriculture dominated employment, accounting for a significant portion of the workforce. The mechanization of farming, urbanization, and industrial growth led to a steady decline in agricultural jobs. Similarly, household work, once a major sector, saw a reduction due to social changes and technological advancements.

   The early to mid-20th century saw a boom in manufacturing jobs, driven by industrialization and wartime economies. However, globalization, outsourcing, and automation led to a decline in manufacturing employment towards the late 20th century.

   The late 20th and early 21st centuries have been marked by the expansion of professional services, healthcare, education, and financial services. Technological advancements and an increasingly service-oriented economy have contributed to this shift.

   Industrialization and mechanization reduced reliance on labor-intensive agriculture. Globalization facilitated outsourcing and shifting manufacturing jobs overseas. The digital revolution created new employment opportunities in information technology, telecommunications, and finance. Policy and regulatory changes influenced labor markets, including labor protections and minimum wage laws.

   Continued automation and artificial intelligence may disrupt traditional employment models. Upskilling and education will be crucial for adapting to the evolving job market. The gig economy and remote work may shape future employment patterns.

   In conclusion, the transformation of US employment over the past 150 years underscores the dynamic nature of labor markets. From agriculture to manufacturing and now to services, economic and technological forces continue to reshape employment opportunities. Understanding these trends provides valuable insights into workforce planning, education, and economic policy.

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Digital currencies usage, and the one important condition

The potential benefits and challenges of using digital currency show that the role of central banks is critical. The worldwide politics are not ready yet to welcome this new era, but why is this happening?

   In modern monetary economies, the effectiveness of money in performing transactions is lowered by the volume of our needs. We cannot print banknotes and use coins on each transaction, as our payments exceed the physical borders.

   We now experience one more evolution of money. A type of money based on digital technology and issued by the institution in charge of managing public money. This is the central bank of each country, and the central bank of greater unions, such as the United States and the European Union. The multiple agents of the economy, the state authorities, households, and the firms, are connected with the central bank and the private institutions (mainly commercial banks), so all together can exchange values instantly.

   This fiat monetary system is already characterized by the use of digital mediums. We do not need to withdraw our salary from ATMs, but instead, we pay our bills through online payment systems. Therefore, we already use digital currencies. Money is not backed by a physical asset such as gold or silver. This means that we can generate more money through loans. Once we get more money, we generate more wealth, and we pay back the interest of older loans.

   This banking system creates and lends too much money already, and the gap between the money it has created (deposits), and the most liquid part of its assets (central bank reserves and government securities) widens. It is worth noting that if a large number of depositors simultaneously ask the bank to withdraw (or transfer) their deposits, the bank will find it difficult to raise reserves by selling its illiquid financial assets, or will be able to do so, but only at a price below their fair value (illiquidity risk).

   This circle of money has a huge drawback. We cannot always generate money without any limits. Hence, in the case of digitalizing everything, what will happen to those who do not have any income?

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E-learning is a valuable option for education

The 2019 pandemic outbreak has affected the world economy with an unprecedented wave of social distancing and isolation. It has brought significant changes to education and training systems globally as well. Learning, teaching, and communication in general were inevitably transferred to online tools, as this pandemic event accelerated the digital transformation.

 

   Remote education has exploded in 2020 as an emergency response to the widespread physical closure of education and training institutions. The community of education had to adopt and support distance learning as the ultimate solution. This fast-paced shift has speeded up further digital transformation of education.

   From my teaching experience having lectures on the field of business administration, international business, and human resource management, physical communication cannot be entirely substituted by digital methods. However, choosing the appropriate digital channels matters.

   Indeed, synchronous distance learning emerges a plethora of challenges. Internet speed connection and stability is a critical one, while having the hardware and software needed must not be taken as a given. Many students or teachers do not have the appropriate machinery to support a smooth distance learning experience. Additionally, not all people have the experience, confidence, knowledge, skills, and competence needed to organize and deliver distance education effectively.

   On the contrary, asynchronous distance learning, enhanced guidance to students, and personal willingness are the key to distance learning success. Indeed, asynchronous methods give you the ability of scheduling, mastering time needed to absorb new information, and perceive professional multichannel learning.

   Moreover, it is critical if professors can record lectures at a fully equipped studio and upload them after the appropriate montage to fit the material to modern needs. Electronic classes can be supported by digital books and other material in electronic format, hence making the whole experience even more interactive. It is crucial to adapt and prepare educational content and to ensure its use in distance learning and virtual environments. Accordingly, continuous monitoring of the feedback mechanisms and information provided is vital for the development of a successful digital community.

   For instance, one of the major challenges has been the issue of ensuring inclusion and equal access to quality distance learning opportunities. But, if we think about how many students and professionals cannot have physical access to educational places due to mobility challenges and time management issues, being economically disadvantaged, or geographically isolated, then both methods (physical and distance learning) have disadvantages. Also, managing assessment and grading is a difficult challenge, while this requires the integrity and awareness of both students and professors.

   In conclusion, distance learning as an attempt to ensure the continuation of the learning process is critical. Society must be well-informed and open to adopt new training methods as the spread of digital tools cannot be reversed. In this respect, physical contact and experience must not be interrupted, as they are environments that provide a sense of professional structure and of community and opportunities for socialization and status. But digital tools could support more people to be educated, even if they do not have the required means needed to access traditional training methods.

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China and Europe vow to respond to US's tariff war

President Donald Trump declared that foreign trade and economic practices have created a national emergency, and his order imposes responsive tariffs to strengthen the international economic position of the United States and protect American workers.

 

   The president of the United States said on April 2, 2025, on a new global trading order announcement, that a levy of 10% would apply to nearly all US imports from April 5 as he also revealed additional so-called reciprocal duties, meaning total tariffs as high as 20% on the EU and 24% on Japan will go into effect on April 9.

 

 

   US tariffs on China, the world’s biggest exporter of goods, will rise to 54% after Trump imposes a further 34% duty on top of 20% levies he placed on China earlier this year. Country’s commerce ministry on Thursday warned it would retaliate against US decision.

   “History has shown that raising tariffs will not resolve the US’s own problems,” said a commerce ministry spokesperson.

   The EU is “prepared to respond”, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday, while emphasising the bloc first wished to negotiate. Germany’s finance minister said he expected a “strong response” from the EU.

   Japan’s chief government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed “serious concern” over the US. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy said President Trump’s tariffs were “a measure that I consider wrong.”

 

 

   According to the White House, the annual cost to the US economy of counterfeit goods, pirated software, and theft of trade secrets is between 225 billion and 600 billion US dollars. In 2024, the US trade deficit in goods exceeded 1.2 trillion US dollars.

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Ukraine's deal with US over rare earth minerals and reconstruction fund

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington this Friday to sign a deal that will provide the United States access to Ukraine's rare earth mineral resources, including vital materials like graphite, titanium, lithium, and other key minerals used in technology and defense industries.
 

    The agreement will establish an "investment fund" aimed at Ukraine's reconstruction, with both countries managing the fund equally. In exchange, Ukraine will contribute 50% of future proceeds from state-owned mineral resources, oil, and gas to the fund, which will then be used for infrastructure and development projects across the war-torn nation.

   This agreement comes as a strategic move to bolster Ukraine's economy (they hope so) while providing the US with access to critical raw materials (the main purpose of this story).

   Zelensky seems that has been pushing for clear security guarantees from the US, which would help Ukraine defend itself amidst the ongoing war with Russia. US officials have made it clear that they will not offer extensive security guarantees, asserting that the responsibility for Ukraine's defense largely falls to Europe.

   Ukraine's mineral deposits are considerable, with reserves that account for a significant share of the world's critical raw materials. Both Russia and United States managed to have access to its deposits of rare earth minerals, by implementing different approaches.

   Kyiv estimates that about 5% of the world's "critical raw materials" are in Ukraine, despite covering only 0.4% of the globe's surface. This includes some 19m tonnes of proven reserves of graphite, which the Ukrainian Geological Survey state agency says makes the nation "one of the top five leading countries" for the supply of the mineral. Graphite is used to make batteries (for electric vehicles etc.).

    The country has deposits of 22 of the 34 minerals identified as critical by the European Union, including rare earths such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, erbium and yttrium, according to reports.

   Ukraine also has significant deposits of titanium, lithium and rare earth metals - a group of 17 elements that are used to produce weapons, wind turbines, electronics and other products vital in the modern world. A total resources worth of over 350 billion dollars have been seized by Russia, according to unofficial reports.

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EU and NATO allies will support a war by 0.25% of their annual GDP?

In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine lands and the increasing involvement of global powers like China and North Korea, it is time for the European Union (EU) member states and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to reassess their military support commitments, according to a recent EU decision.

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Regional variations in EU employment rates and the secret of Germany

The European Union (EU) employment rate in 2022 reached its historical high at 74.6%, however, when examining regional data, significant differences emerge beneath the EU average, according to the latest Eurostat announcement.

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The soft saving trend can become a huge headache

In general, the future of an economy can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including fiscal and monetary policies, technological advancements, changes in demographics, global economic trends, and more.

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Artificial intelligence boost unemployment through hiring

Unemployment is not only a local issue of a given state. There are tens of millions of unfilled jobs right now worldwide. Thus, why there is unemployment? Why people are not able to find their next job? Is education the major problem for this situation? What about technology?

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The digitalization of money and the major transformations it brings

What would be the purpose of a digital currency, such as the euro? How would it work? Our society is ready to adopt a digital currency, or not? The activity of banks will be dramatically changed, or not? What about the privacy of what money can buy? Who will rule this new digital reality? Indeed, these questions arise since the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to launch a two-year investigation phase of a possible digital euro (since July 14, 2021).

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Rules to protect the essential infrastructure of the European Union

The European Parliament has recently given its final approval to rules on improving the protection of the European Union’s (EU) essential infrastructure, with 595 votes in favor. The event of boosting critical infrastructure protection in the EU means that we are facing new challenges in this globalized environment.

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The future of human resources in the age of automation

Until today, the influence of the human resources (HR) department rises and falls depending on how professionals respond to the constant challenge of keeping a workplace functional, profitable, and valuable enough for its core elements. However, the speed of current technological breakthroughs has no historical precedent.

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New EU directive on minimum wage and standard of living

With 505 votes in favor, 92 against, and 44 abstentions, European Parliament adopted new legislation on adequate minimum wages in the European Union (EU) on September 14, 2022. The minimum wage should ensure a decent standard of living, while EU rules must respect national wage-setting practices.

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Guide on how to choose between two or more job opportunities

During the process of searching for a new job it is possible to end up with multiple options. This means that you can be both exciting and stressful, concerning your needs, the environmental factors, and the actual plan that you want to develop for your career.

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Paying for natural gas in rubles will not change anything

Europe imports large amounts of Russian natural gas, even today, despite the war in Ukraine. According to officials, around 60% of imports are paid in euros, and the rest in dollars. However, Putin wants to change that by requiring foreign gas importers to purchase rubles and use them to pay for the natural gas.

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Borders and sanctions: Russia out of the economic game

A sanction is actually a penalty imposed by one country (or a group) on another, and it is used as a tool to stop the country acting aggressively or breaking international law. Sanctions are designed to hurt the economy in general and the finances of individual citizens of a given country. So, is Russia still in the global economic game?

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What is the SWIFT system? Western logic against “Putin thinking” (maps)

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin (born 1952), launched an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. As the aftermath of the dramatic escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014, this new war is the largest conventional military attack on European lands since World War II.

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The AI digitalization of employment and our future

The digitalization of all sectors of the global economy is on the way. As far as governments around the world invest on digital infrastructure and reskilling the workforce, artificial life is going to be inevitable. However, funding levels in terms of public or private investments are still very low.

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A 1997 story about virtual money and the global economy

Interestingly, virtual money and the globalization of our economy is a field with depth and many publications refer to this topic. Particularly, the global economy cannot be stopped, unless we understand how to make everything by ourselves. But, as the latter is impossible, we must link our local economies to external competitive advantages of other countries and their economies.

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WEF’s reskilling revolution platform ignores ethics?

World Economic Forum (WEF) recently launched the reskilling revolution platform to provide better jobs, education, and skills to one billion people in the next 10 years.

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