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.
Flexible working can make work-life balance worse, a German study finds
Flexible working, and at odd hours, can lead to more overtime and less freedom, according to a new study of working parents in Germany.
Here’s how racial stereotypes can affect a student’s success in STEM
Researchers have found a link between the way students look relative to their racial stereotype, and their likelihood of completing a STEM degree.
France says ‘oui’ to feminine job titles
After decades of holding out against the feminization of job titles, the guardians of the French language have made an historic U-turn.
Mind the (gender) gap: why we should stand together on inclusion
How can we create a world where differences are respected and honoured to the extent that they really don’t matter? We may need to stop dividing our efforts, writes Beth Bovis.
A question following International Women's Day: where does 'she' belong?
We need to build educational and business environments for the future in which women can thrive and fulfil their potential. Monitoring, measurement and analysis can help us get there.
Switzerland ranked as best country for women's rights, according to the OECD
Denmark, Sweden, France and Portugal were the next best-performing countries in the OECD's Social Institutions and Gender Index.
Italy has banned unvaccinated children from schools
Amid a spate of measles outbreaks and anti-vax movements, Italy has made the bold decision to ban children under 6 from kindergarten, while the parents of older children will face fines, ...
Out-of-work US men are unhappier than men almost anywhere else
Researchers who compared how out-of-work men around the world feel have found that American men are more likely to feel negative emotions than their counterparts in other regions.
Finland, Switzerland and New Zealand lead the way at teaching skills for the future
A gap is opening up between those countries ready to equip their businesses and businesspeople to handle change – and those being left behind.
In Wales, ‘rubbish police’ shake down garbage bags for recyclables
One city in Wales is employing people to shake rubbish bags and fine offenders, as the nation moves towards becoming zero waste by 2050.
Average Work Week Hours in Different Countries
Advocates of a shorter working week say it makes people happier and more productive. Check out the average work week hours in different countries.
The digital skills gap is widening fast. Here’s how to bridge it
Advances in technology are increasing demand for new kinds of jobs and for the requisite skills. But there could be a shortfall of more than 750,000 sufficiently skilled workers by 2020 i...