Economic Report:

In 2004, Wal-Mart created 210,000 jobs, while on average driving down payroll wages in the area around a store by almost five percent. At a forum called by the world's largest retailer corporation, nine economists told the company that in towns with Wal-Mart stores the pay for unskilled workers decreases and the cost of Medicaid increases. The study, called "The Effects of Wal-Mart on local Labor Markets" was part of a new attempt by the corporation to appear transparent.