What is a labor market?

The labor market (or job market) refers to a platform where the demand for and supply of labor meet. In this virtual marketplace, the employer provides the demand for jobs, while workers supply skills. 

The modern-day labor market is global, due to advancements in technology. Consequently, the labor pool is wider, affecting the availability of job opportunities and the quality of hires.

For employers, a globalized labor market demonstrates the unexpected value of hiring international talent. They are more able to hire the best talents without geographic restrictions and can save on hiring costs. 

A global labor market allows employees to increase their access to job opportunities globally. Workers also have more flexibility, as more jobs are becoming remote. While this development is beneficial in some ways, it also increases the competition that job seekers face. Rather than only competing within their local area, they must compete with skilled professionals worldwide. 

Various factors affect the job market. When pay rates rise, the demand for labor increases. Market demand also means manufacturers must produce more goods to satisfy customer needs. Consequently, they hire more workers to fulfill these orders.

Migration also affects the labor market. The influx of foreign nationals increases labor supply and may benefit employers and employees. Strict entry criteria or employment restrictions per industry, such as medicine or law, can limit labor supply. As a result, wages may increase in these fields. 

Labor markets are typically stable, and their sizes vary by demand and industry. Often, skill determines the availability of jobs.

The job market goes through two major phases: loose and tight labor markets. In a loose labor market, unemployment increases because labor supply exceeds the demand. 

A tight labor market is when there is little availability of workers for open job positions. Thus, the demand for labor is higher than its supply. This happens when unemployment levels drop significantly. 

An economy may experience a tight labor market due to an increase in retirement over a short period. Relatedly, an aging population is a primary factor. When birth rates decrease, a country may experience a shortage of its working population. 

Rapid emigration may also lead to tight labor markets. Some countries are seeing a massive exodus of young people, especially from rural areas. This leads to a shortage of supply for available positions. 

An increase in skill gaps also results in tight labor markets. As technology evolves, new opportunities for advancement arise. This also brings about new disciplines with distinct skill sets to fill specific roles. Relatively new or highly advanced disciplines often experience a shortage of capable personnel. 

Usually, businesses request the services of skilled individuals to fill specific needs and solve critical problems. They can only hire willing and available individuals. Interested and capable individuals take vital steps to prove their readiness and competence for these positions. 

The labor market hopes to create a platform where suppliers of labor receive fair compensation for their skill levels. Thus, the provision of labor must match the compensation.