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 investing in girls' education is both an economic and moral imperative
Progress on gender parity in education is still distributed unequally around the world, particularly in Africa. But some promising initiatives are helping to bridge the divide.
What Japan's inclusive school systems can teach us about resilience
Japan has taken a unique approach to help children who struggle in school. By fostering inclusivity in education they are building a more resilient society.
Matching Talent to the Jobs of Tomorrow: A Guidebook for Public Employment Services
The Matching Talent to the Jobs of Tomorrow: A Guidebook for Public Employment Services report 2025 introduces a five-step framework for public employment services to enhance job matching...
Why children need to be included in discussions about AI
We will soon be navigating a world where the real and the artificial are indistinguishable, so must act to ensure AI's development benefits all children.
Putting Talent at the Centre: An Evolving Imperative for Manufacturing
The Putting Talent at the Centre: An Evolving Imperative for Manufacturing 2025 report explores how organizations can unlock productivity and stability by investing in frontline talent, d...
6 things we learned about the future of work from leaders at Davos
Sessions at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting covered thr future of work, reskilling, closing the jobs gap and how AI will transform work. Here are key quotes.
Here's how Bahrain is building a future-ready workforce by boosting skills and workplace gender equality
The Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator provides a blueprint for closing the gender skills gap and aims to help create a future-ready workforce.
Future-ready workforces are not found, they're made by investing in people
In the Intelligent Age – where AI and humans drive innovation together – employers must proactively prepare employees to become a future-ready workforce.
Building the foundations that will empower Africa's youth using education and technology
By addressing gaps in education aided by technology, we can empower Africa's children to participate and excel in an increasingly technology-driven world.
AI is shifting the workplace skillset. But human skills still count
In an accelerating world of work, job-seekers must embrace a wider set of skills – but not just technological ones, according to a new report
Jobs, health and inclusion at Davos 2025
'Investing in People' is one of the key themes at Davos 2025, the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, that covers jobs, health and inclusion being held from 20-24 January. Here's ...
Reskilling Revolution: Preparing 1 billion people for tomorrow’s economy
The World Economic Forum's Reskilling Revolution is preparing the global workforce with the skills needed to future-proof their careers, amidst deep transformation driven by technological...