Abstract
The nature of work is changing, due to demographic shifts, re-globalization, and digitalization. Regional and local labor markets are in global competition for (highly) qualified and specialized workers. At the same time, the workforce’s desire for flexibility and the increasing speed at which skill requirements are changing are creating disparities at the spatial, social, and economic levels. This chapter discusses the global and local drivers behind these developments, exploring the factors which cause global inequalities between urban and rural areas, and highlights how cities, regions, and countries attract employees to address skills shortages.