B. Global trends in wages by sector and occupation

Since the 1980s, evidence from crosscountry studies has shown the existence of rising inequality in wages and earnings. In many highand low/middle-income countries, the wages of high-skilled workers have increased, while those of low-skilled workers have grown relatively more slowly, fallen or remained stagnant. For example, in the United States, real earnings of low-wage workers have fallen while the earnings of high-wage workers have grown significantly. In Latin America and much of Asia, the same scenario exists. In much of Europe (with the exception of the United Kingdom), where wage-setting institutions are more centralized, the deteriorating position of low-skilled workers is exemplified more through rising unemployment than growing wage gaps.