Technology and automation has led to much greater efficiencies and output for every human in the workforce over the last 50 years. How come this hasn’t led globally to less working hours or a shorter work week for the average worker?

Question

EDIT: Replace ‘every human in the workforce’ with ‘most people’. I agree efficiency has not been gained equally across all professions.

In: Economics

Answer 1

Simple answer is the higher efficiency is directed towards higher profits for the people at the top rather than easing the workload for the people at the bottom. When the workload becomes smaller due to new technology you just fill the extra time with extra work