In 2020, the global workforce lost an equivalent of 255 million full-time jobs, an estimated $3.7 trillion in wages and 4.4% of global GDP, a staggering toll on lives and livelihoods. While vaccine rollout has begun and the growth outlook is predicted to improve, an even socio-economic recovery is far from certain.
The choices made by policymakers, business leaders, workers and learners today will shape societies for years to come. At this critical crossroads, leaders must consciously, proactively and urgently lay the foundations of a new social contract, rebuilding our economies so they provide opportunity for all.
In this context, the Forum remains committed to working with the public- and private sectors to provide better skills, jobs and education to 1 billion people by 2030 through initiatives to close the skills gap and prepare for the ongoing technological transformation of the future of work.
Working women are more at risk of job automation than men
Among the positions with more than a 90% chance of becoming automated are administrative assistant, office clerk, bookkeeper and cashier - all fields dominated by women.
Berlin transit agency offers women's discount on Equal Pay Day
Berlin's BVG transit authority will be offering women a discount of up to 21% on their fares, to highlight the country's gender gap.
Free tampons in schools are not enough to end period poverty say British charities
More must be done to dispel the shame and ignorance surrounding menstruation in Britain, charities said on Wednesday, after the government promised free sanitary products in English schools.
How governments can use gender budgeting to improve equality
"Overall, gender budgeting can make a real difference in people’s lives."
How to save the internet, why women are paid less and other top stories of the week
Meet 2019's Young Global Leaders and find out why we’re living in the Asian century.
Meatless Monday is expanding to all public schools in New York City
New York City will be doing its bit for the climate, children's health and animals by introducing Meatless Mondays in all its schools.
5 books on work by French authors that you should read on your commute
Workplace fiction has proved so popular, there's now a prize dedicated to it.
Create, question, collaborate - these are the skills we should teach our children
Education should place emphasis on skills that robots cannot imitate, like creativity and empathy.
Women tend to be diagnosed with disease later than men
On average, women get diagnoses later in their lives than men when they contract a disease, a new study in Denmark suggests.
Should you listen to music while working? Here's what experts say
Listening to music while working can be good as well as it can be bad. Researchers have revealed that the need to listen to music when working is based upon personality, the music, and th...
Why Nordic nations are the best places to have children
From free care products to generous parenting policies, here's what makes Sweden, Denmark and Norway such great places to raise kids.
Three ways Finland leads the world - aside from education
For a country with a population of less than 6 million, Finland is doing a remarkable job in future-proofing its institutions and workforce.