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.
A group is fighting for more streets in Amsterdam to be named after women
Nearly 90% of the city's streets are named after men.
A graphic design student has redrawn comic book covers to highlight sexism
Fancy seeing Spider-Man in a thong? Or Superman in a skimpy leotard? These images are part of a set of revamped comic book covers that aim to highlight the "sexist" depiction of superhero...
Only 20% of US kids study a language in school - compared to 92% in Europe
Of the 29 European nations that are ranked, 24 have a foreign language learning rate of at least 80%.
These are the three key dynamics shaping modern careers
As linear careers become a thing of the past, the Kaleidoscope Career Model shows that we prioritize a number of key dynamics at different times in our life.
This innovative business offers female prisoners the opportunity to rebuild their lives
Fewer than one in 10 women prisoners have a job to go to on release.
What research tells us about children and gender
I will start by asking two questions: at what age did you know your gender, and do you think someone else had to tell you what it was? I’m director of mental health at a leading gender cl...
This chart shows the reality behind the gender pay gap
Across the world, high levels of pay inequality still exists.
How firms can make the most of diversity
To effect real change, managers must learn to help their employees share their differences.
The silver bullet that saves women
90% of cervical cancers worldwide could be prevented simply by vaccinating young girls. Yet more countries celebrate Mother’s Day than run HPV vaccination campaigns.
More statues of everyday women are set to be built in the UK
Only around a sixth of Britain's 925 public statues represent women.
Kids are more flexible about gender identity than you might think
New research shows that children are able to empathise with characters without a set gender identity.
Debunked: 8 myths about AI's effect on the workplace
Machine learning looks set to cause a seismic shift in the world of work. Here's what you need to know.