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.
Why male is our default gender
A trio of Yale psychologists have developed theories about why kids identify stuffed animals as male and office temperature is set to a man’s comfort level.
India's first female SWAT team has won its first case - to exist
The 36 women underwent 15 months of rigorous training in weapons handling, counter-terrorism and Krav Maga before joining the SWAT team.
Living to 100: why we should plan for more sushi, chocolate and work
Research suggests that 68% of individuals globally don’t plan to ever retire or expect to keep working past a traditional retirement age.
Cancer-curing Marie Curie voted the most influential woman in history
She topped of a list of 100 women who changed the world, for becoming the first person to win two Nobel Prizes and for her research into radioactivity – a word that she coined.
This robot could help children with autism with their social skills
QT robot uses facial expressions and speech to help children with autism understand social interaction.
How future-proof are your skills? Answers to our Instagram quiz
Chemical engineering. A survey of US college graduates saw chemical engineers top a list of 50 majors with a mid-career median salary (10 years in) of $107,000. By comparison, political s...
104 countries have laws that prevent women from working in some jobs
Discriminatory labour laws in 104 countries mean that 2.7 billion women do not have the same job opportunities as men.
What you need to know about the world's youth, in 7 charts
They’re tech-savvy, entrepreneurial and really care about climate change, but young people think their voices are not being heard. These are just a few of the things you need to know abou...
Disabled LGBT+ young people face a battle just to be taken seriously
"Seeing sexuality or gender as a phase is not new. But for [many] young people, it comes as a result of misconceptions about their disability, sexuality and their age."
This is what you need to know about gender lens investing
The deliberate integration of gender analysis into investment analysis and decision-making.
5 ways to boost your confidence when you feel inexperienced
Avery Blank explores how you can find value in your perceived inexperience.
Asia's young entrepreneurs need help with the hustle
The region's youth are reaching working age faster than their countries can create jobs for them – threatening the strong growth of the recent past.