Will we work more in the future?

In July my colleague Qarin published a blog post about "Do Swedes have more time off than others?", covering average annual working hours across various countries. Sweden came across as a country where people are working as much or more than in other countries, but is that about to change? How much will we work in the future and how much will digital technology and automation influence what type of work we do? 

There is a direct relationship between working hours per week and GDP per inhabitant. If we study the facts we can see that high GDP per capita means less working hours per week.

In a recent study made by Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, it is estimated that 53% of the work force in Sweden can be replaced by digital technology in 20 years. The same figure for US is 47%, described in the research study The future of employment.

This research brings out some remarkable statements, for example it predicts that professions that require originality, creative ability, social ability, persuasiveness and caring for other people have little probability of being replaced. On the other hand jobs like cashiers, sales people and machine operators are likely to be replaced.

Think about Inbound vs Outbound and the cost for qualified lead generation. This is yet just another example of how digital technology and tools create efficiencies and need for less human interaction.

See also this visionary video from Ericsson on how robots connected with 5G to the cloud can change manufacturing and industrial tasks. 

Indirectly, automation also leads to many new job opportunities, by enabling increased complexity. Companies will be able to produce and handle a wider range of products and services that need to be sold, distributed and serviced. Digitalisation will also enable increased complexity in pricing models, organisational structure and internationalisation.

Do you want to discuss the implications of digital technology for your business?