A new GLO Discussion Paper suggests that a higher penetration of industrial robots in the local labor market is positively related to the health of the low-skilled population.
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GLO Discussion Paper No. 600, 2020
Does the Rise of Robotic Technology Make People Healthier? – Download PDF
by Gunadi, Christian & Ryu, Hanbyul
GLO Fellow Christian Gunadi
Author Abstract: Technological advancements bring changes to our life, altering our behaviors as well as our role in the economy. In this paper, we examine the potential effect of the rise of robotic technology on health. The results of the analysis suggest that higher penetration of industrial robots in the local labor market is positively related to the health of the low-skilled population. A ten percent increase in robots per 1,000 workers is associated with an approximately 10% reduction in the fraction of low-skilled individuals reporting poor health. Further analysis suggests that reallocation of tasks and reduction in unhealthy behavior partly explain this finding.
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