The percentage of the American workforce employed in the manufacturing sector has been steadily declining over the past 50 years. True False

True! Over the last five decades, the American manufacturing sector has seen a significant decline in the percentage of the workforce employed, dropping from about 25% in the 1970s to around 8% today. This shift is largely due to factors like automation, globalization, and the rising importance of technology and service industries in the economy. In terms of real-world implications, this decline has shaped both urban and rural landscapes in the U.S. Many communities that once relied on manufacturing jobs have had to adapt, often pivoting toward service-based economies or technology-focused industries. This transition has created both challenges and opportunities for workforce development and community resilience.