Post-Labor Economics: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines the emerging field of Post-Labor Economics, which analyzes economic structures and possibilities in a future where technological progress—particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics—substantially reduces or even eliminates the need for human labor. Unlike traditional labor economics, which focuses on how employment shifts and adapts, Post-Labor Economics starts from the premise that human labor could largely disappear rather than merely transition between sectors. The review synthesizes and critically evaluates literature across four key dimensions: (1) theoretical frameworks for understanding post-labor economic systems; (2) transition mechanisms from labor-based to post-labor economies; (3) distribution systems in the absence of labor-derived income (4) governance and policy implications for post-labor societies. We also assess historical and empirical evidence for these concepts and discuss research gaps, including methodological challenges in predicting unprecedented economic shifts. The findings highlight both the transformative potential of a post-labor economy and the profound uncertainties and ethical considerations it entails, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary research and thoughtful policy design to navigate a possible post-labor future.