Dirk van Seventer

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dirk van Seventer is a leading development economist whose research focuses on the structural transformation of labour markets, particularly in South Africa. His work is central to understanding how technological change—including artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics—reshapes employment patterns in developing economies. Van Seventer’s most cited paper, “Labour market polarization in South Africa: A decomposition analysis” (2020, 7 citations), provides rigorous evidence that technical change drives not only shifts in employment intensity but also profound changes in occupational composition, leading to job polarization. He extends this analysis in “Polarization in the South African labour market: Economy-wide scenarios” (2020, 2 citations), using economy-wide modelling to forecast how automation displaces routinizable tasks, threatening middle-skill workers. His contributions are vital for policymakers and researchers seeking to design inclusive growth strategies in the face of rapid technological disruption. By bridging macro-level modelling with granular labour market dynamics, van Seventer offers actionable insights into the future of work in the Global South. His research is a cornerstone for students and scholars examining the intersection of technology, inequality, and employment.