Date of Award

4-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Mathematics

Department

Mathematics

Major Professor

Tumulesh Solanky

Second Advisor

Mosab Hammodeh

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to systematically and empirically examine trends in global labor flows between Third World (TW) and First World (FW) countries, specifically on the role of BRICS economies. Using R to conduct an Environmentally Extended Multi-Regional Input–Output (EEMRIO) analysis on EXIOBASE data, this study examines global flows of embodied labor, wages, and workforce characteristics between Third World (TW), BRICS, and First World (FW) economies, including gender and skill composition. The findings reveal persistent structural asymmetries in the global distribution of labor and value. The key findings are below:

1. The most significant result is the disparity between labor contribution and

compensation: the Third World provides approximately 88% of global labor while

receiving only 42% of total wages.

2. This imbalance is reflected in trade flows, with 694 billion labor hours exported from the

Third World to the First World, compared to just 85 billion in return.

3. In 2022, BRICS nations accounted for nearly 42% of the 694 billion in exports from the

TW to the FW.

4. A third key finding is the expansion of these imbalances over time. Since 1995, high-skill

labor exports from the Third World to the First World have increased by 84%, although

not statistically significant.

5. There is a statistically significant 5.6% decline in overall labor intensity from the First

World to the Third World. Whereas there is a 4.9% rise in intensity the other direction,

although not significant.

6. Gendered trends further highlight structural change. While female labor shares remain

similar (around 39%), low-skilled female labor intensity exports from the First World to

the Third World have declined by 12.10%, while those from India, which accounts for

23% of the total—have increased significantly by 362%.

7. Additional results point to shifting regional dynamics, as BRICS labor exports to the

Third World (4.79%) have grown by 40.47%, indicating an emerging reorientation

toward TW - TW trade.

In total, the findings demonstrate deepening labor–wage inequalities, increasing dependence on Third World labor, and evolving patterns in global production and trade.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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