Rise of the service sector

Generative AI may propel changes in labor demand, but changes in employment patterns are nothing new. Work has shifted away from industrial and agricultural jobs and toward the service sector in both Europe and the United States since the mid-19th century, according to a survey by senior partner Eric Hazan and colleagues. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic left lasting effects on the workplace, including further tightening of labor markets and increased hybrid work. Population aging and fewer hours worked per employee, especially in Europe, mean that employers are increasingly competing for talent, the survey suggests. Click through the interactive to see more.

To read the report, see “A new future of work: The race to deploy AI and raise skills in Europe and beyond,” May 21, 2024.