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.
10 approachable must-read classics
By no means the definitive list, these forward-thinking works of fiction are often genuinely hilarious and thought-provoking.
The 'hidden figures' in population genetics
Many women made significant contributions to population genetics as programmers but did not get recognition as authors.
Why the future of well-being isn't about money
New research anticipates that global attitudes will change to favour freedom and support as the key to well-being by 2050.
This Indian city is a hotbed for startups
A new report shows Mumbai to be a hotbed for Indian startups.
Is there really wisdom in the crowd?
In his latest research, Wharton marketing professor John McCoy proposes a new solution for crowdsourcing that can help create better, more accurate results: Instead of going with the most...
15 pieces of wisdom from a highly successful 80-year-old
Blackstone's Byron Wien recently gave a speech passing on the lessons he's learned in his eight decades on planet Earth.
6 ways to future-proof universities
Getting up to speed with big data, roping in philosopher students into tech research, and lifelong learning were among the subjects under discussion at Davos' university symposium.
This woman changed the world of work – and you've probably never heard of her
The invention of the computerized word processor changed the lives of office workers the world over, and led to unintended consequences.
For girls, it's better to say 'let's do science'
Children are more likely to get into science if they are introduced to it as an activity everyone can do, rather than a profession for specific people.
We must retrain engineers for the 21st century – here’s how
Tech education lags behind the pace of innovation - and needs to play catch-up.
How to create 'good jobs'
Around the world today, the central challenge for achieving inclusive economic prosperity is the creation of sufficient numbers of “good jobs.” Without productive and dependable employmen...
Why Leonardo da Vinci continues to fascinate the modern world
A look into the art, life and mind of the greatest “Renaissance Man” of them all.