Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Temporary Migration as Solution to Workforce Shortages
Many rich countries are having trouble finding enough workers for jobs like child care, construction, and farming.
This is because the number of people born in these countries is going down.
South Korea, for example, might see its economy shrink in the future because of this.
But experts say that letting more temporary workers come in could help.
For instance, if South Korea had the same number of temporary workers as Australia, it could fix most of its economic problems.
Workers from poorer countries could also earn a lot more money if they could work in places like America.
So, temporary migration could be a good solution for both the countries and the workers.
Native-born workforces are shrinking in the rich world, causing staff shortages in industries like child care, construction, and farming.
South Korea's GDP is projected to shrink in the late 2040s due to a collapsing birth rate.
Temporary migration could offset economic slumps, with South Korea potentially benefiting from increasing its temporary-migrant population to 15% of the total, similar to Australia.
Migrant workers from the 11 largest developing countries could see an average wage increase of 424% if they could take low-skilled jobs in America.
Experts advocate for temporary migration as a solution to address workforce shortages and economic growth.
- Who
- Michael Clemens, Lant Pritchett, workers in developing countries
- What
- Temporary migration as a solution to workforce shortages and economic growth
- When
- Present and future projections
- Where
- Rich world, South Korea, Australia, America
- Why
- To address shrinking native-born workforces and economic slumps
- Native-born workforces
- Shrinking in the rich world
- Industries facing shortages
- Child care, construction, farming
- South Korea's GDP
- Projected to shrink in late 2040s due to low birth rate
- Temporary-migrant population in Australia
- 15% of total population
- Potential wage increase for migrants
- 424% for workers in 11 largest developing countries