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.
Any global movement towards curbing workplace harassment should include LGBT+ protections
The global treaty seeks to determine the extent to which employers should protect LGBT+ workers and other vulnerable groups.
How we can empower Africa's women
Although women have played a crucial part in ending conflicts and energizing protests in Africa and elsewhere, they are often marginalized in the subsequent peacebuilding and political pr...
Is technology key to improving global health and education, or just an expensive distraction?
In developing countries, technological hype has driven expensive investments in hardware billed as silver-bullet solutions. Now, new research reveals why some quick-fix programmes fail an...
New Zealand has unveiled its first ‘well-being’ budget
After creating a buzz at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in January, Jacinda Ardern's government has outlined plans for the country’s well-being budget.
This is how quality early education can cross generations
New research shows that early education programmes can have benefits that span generations.
These are the world's most-visited museums
In 2018, the world's most visited museum was the Louvre in Paris, with 10.2 million visitors.
Why we need to look beyond the unemployment rate
By focusing solely on the unemployment rate, policymakers are ignoring the many dimensions of employment that affect welfare.
#MeToo is letting women reporters be more open about sexual harassment, without fear of reprisal
Since the #MeToo movement took off in 2017, an unprecedented number of women have come forward to share stories of workplace sexual harassment.
Burnout is making us worse at our jobs, according to the WHO
Workplace burnout is a serious issue. So much so that the WHO has officially recognized it for the first time, outlining the three main components of the issue.
How supporting entrepreneurs can improve the lives of Central American women
Initiatives that seek to promote economic growth in Central America must address head-on the needs of women entrepreneurs.
These are the world's best universities by subject
New rankings compare the best universities for each subject – and Western institutions still dominate.
Taiwan celebrates Asia's first same-sex marriages as couples tie knot
Following the approval of the same-sex marriage bill on May 17, Taiwan's first same-sex marriages took place a week later on Friday, May 24.