Rapid AI progress cuts blue-collar work to 8% of the labor force

6.6 significance by Forecasting Research Institute Jobs December 2050

Why does it matter?

Skilled trades and factory work losing about a third of their share would hit the regions and workers least able to move.

Direct quote

In the rapid scenario, the growth in white-collar occupations would stall, with their share remaining flat at around 20.0%–21.0% in 2030 and 2050. Care and service occupations are forecast to see larger increases compared to the unconditional scenario (reaching 57.1% in 2050), while blue-collar occupations would sharply decline, with a median share of 8.0% by 2050—a historical low.

Forecasting Research Institute