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 to create future engineers in 4 steps
The future demands more sustainable, resilient and innovative infrastructure solutions - and a new generation of talent to deliver them.
4 Things You Can Do To Build a Sustainable Workforce
Here's how you can build a sustainable workforce. Make sure your employees have the skills to take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and machine learning at work.
Global Gender Gap Report 2020
Gender parity will not be attained for 99.5 years – that’s the sobering finding of the Global Gender Gap Report 2020
Top tips on how to read more books this year
Tips from our World Economic Forum Book Club members.
The best students, climate dominoes and other top stories of the week
Also in this week's round-up: carbon removal tech, the cost of corruption and escaping hopelessness.
These Nepali ‘Big Sisters’ are pushing back against child marriage
Big Sisters in Nepal are counselling teenage girls with menstrual health and period myths in Nepal
More refugee girls in Chad see a path to a university education – here’s how
Chad has become the first country in West and Central Africa to integrate these institutions into the education system, meaning they now benefit from state resources.
Video games are transforming how we communicate with each other - and they could fix a range of other global issues too
Video games can connect people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Their ability to build community could make them a larger force for social good.
Which countries have the smartest kids?
The OECD’s latest global test of 15-year-olds in math, science, and reading revealed that Asian countries excel in education, with China and Singapore ranked first and second, respectively.
Learning from failure might not be as good as learning from success
Research has found that learning from failure is not as powerful as learning from success. Is the statement you learn more from failures still true?
5 ways to swim, not sink as part of a 'liquid workforce'
As a part of liquid workforce, you should know your direction, your skills, and your destination. Fluidity – the ability to adapt to today's swiftly changing business environments – is wh...
How to give start-ups a head-start
Do you dream of being an entrepreneur, but aren't sure where or how to educate yourself? Perhaps you don't live in a global start-up hub? Here's some advice on how to get off the ground