Will the world really be 50 million workers short by 2030?

The More or Less podcast investigates the claim by Nvidia's CEO that the world will face a 50-million worker shortage by 2030. Host Tim Harford interviews Rajiv Gupta from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), who confirms a similar figure in a BCG report. Gupta explains their methodology, which projects job demand based on current employment data, job postings, and GDP growth predictions, adjusted for AI's impact. The supply side is calculated using demographic data and labor flow rates. While the report projects a shortage, it's concentrated in specific sectors (blue-collar, healthcare, and education) and rich countries, not a global unemployment issue. Gupta emphasizes that this is a projection based on current trends and assumes no significant interventions, highlighting the need for proactive measures.