Outsourcing is the delegation of tasks or jobs from internal production to an external entity. Recently outsourcing has become specifically defined as the elimination of local (national) staff to staff overseas, where salaries are distinctively lower.

Globalization and outsourcing are not the same thing! Outsourcing is a form of globalization, where ideas from one nation are spread to another nation through jobs. Through this form of globalization, the global economy becomes more interconnected through jobs as well.

Some interesting facts and statistics about the effects of outsourcing:

44,000
The number of jobs that been eliminated in the United States? textile industry because of NAFTA.

4,227
The number of individuals and families in America that file for personal bankruptcy per day.

1.2 billion
The population of India, which has the largest English-speaking population outside of the United States.

71%
The percentage of Americans who are concerned that the current trend of outsourcing jobs to foreign countries will affect their job security or earning potential. America is the only developed nation that does not have protectionist legislation that provides disincentives for companies that use imported and offshore cheap foreign labor.

Missouri state residents who call a 1-800 number with questions about their welfare, food stamps, and benefits are being routed to a state call center in India. This is part of contracts with more than 30 states to handle similar state government contract work through offshore outsourcing.

3.3 million
The number of American jobs that are expected to be outsourced to India and China over the next several years.

66%
The percentage of Americans who say their biggest worry today is whether or not they will have a job tomorrow.