This report, based on research from various sources, examines four key trends that will shape the last years of the 20th century:

1. The American economy should grow at a relatively health pace.
2. U.S. manufacturing will be a much smaller share of the economy in the year 2000 than in 1987.
3. The workforce will grow slowly, becoming older, more female, and more disadvantaged.
4. The new jobs in the service industries will demand much higher skill levels than in 1987.

The report further describes various scenarios for the economy in the year 2000, analyzes the workforce, and describes six challenges facing the American economy. The report is sponsored by the Hudson Institute, a private nonprofit research organization that specializes in the analysis of policy problems and the formulation of policy options for government and the private sector.

CONTENTS
1. The forces shaping the American economy:

The integration of the world economy.
The shift of production from goods to services.
The proliferation of advanced technologies.
Renewed productivity growth, particularly in services.
Disinflation or deflation in world prices.
Increased competition in product, service and labor markets.

2. Scenarios for the year 2000:

Three projections of the future.
The surprise-free scenario-outcomes and impacts.
Alternative scenarios.

3. Work and workers in the year 2000:

Demographics as destiny-workforce 2000.
The changing job mix.

4. Six challenges:

Stimulating world growth.
Improving productivity in service industries.
Improving the dynamism of an aging workforce.
Reconciling the needs of women, work, and families.
Integrating Blacks and Hispanics fully in to the workforce.
Improving workers' education and skills.

Includes tables and figures.

This report, based on research from various sources, examines four key trends that will shape the last years of the 20th century.