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.
How do we upskill a billion people by 2030? Leadership and collaboration will be key
Three areas of focus to upskill the world's growing population in the next five years.
The reskilling revolution can transform the future of work for women
The need for digital skills is an opportunity to keep more women in the workforce and ensure they reach more senior roles.
The jobs forecast is unsettled. It's time for a reskilling revolution
Denmark's Minister of Employment explains how we can reskill 1 billion workers in five years.
Creating a better future for garment manufacturing in Bangladesh
Garment industry workers are being displaced by automation, especially in Bangladesh. Here's how the industry can make sure no one is left behind.
Digital technology helped create the skills gap. Here's how it can help close it
Four ways the manufacturing sector can use digital tech to augment and reskill workers on the shop floor, from a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.
Classroom to workplace: what young people need to succeed
Many young people leave school without the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace. Disadvantaged students struggle the most and are more likely to transition to low-paying and low-s...
How to develop talent for the digital economy
The growing call for cloud-based skills shows innovation is required to find the next generation workforce.
Conquer the skills gap – and win the future – by rethinking talent
The skills gap is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today. The CEO of Infosys has tips for conquering it.
Global Social Mobility Index 2020: why economies benefit from fixing inequality
The World Economic Forum has created a new index to measure social mobility, providing a much-needed assessment of the current state of social mobility worldwide.
Jobs will be very different in 10 years. Here's how to prepare
Support must be offered to young, low-skilled and vulnerable people as 9 out of 10 jobs will require digital skills in 10 years time.
Hundreds of millions of workers need reskilling. Where do we start?
The workplace faces unprecedented upheaval - so reskilling should begin early and continue as long as possible.
Diversity is the bridge on which we can cross the skills gap
Businesses must look to untapped pools of talent to address the shortage in digital skills.