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.
3 ways virtual reality is revolutionising teaching
As virtual reality becomes more common, it is being used as a way to give students a more hands-on approach to learning.
When should a woman have children if she’s thinking about running for office?
Views on when women hoping to enter political office should have children vary significantly depending on the age bracket of women asked.
Having children costs women's earnings, but the impact varies from country to country
Despite considerable convergence over time, substantial gender inequality persists in all countries. Analysis reveals some striking similarities across countries, but also sharp differenc...
These charts reveal 6 facts about motherhood in the US
American motherhood has changed considerably over the past 30 years thanks to demographic, social and technological shifts.
After men in Spain got paternity leave, they wanted fewer kids
Two years after the introduction of a new paternity leave programme, eligible parents were 7% to 15% less likely to have another kid than parents who just missed the eligibility cutoff.
The first new university in the UK for 40 years is taking a very different approach to education
Could a new university with an interdisciplinary approach to tackling problems be the future for Higher Education and the workforce of tomorrow?
Missing wombs: the health scandal enslaving families in rural India
The cost of hysterectomies - often prescribed for treating minor ailments - is leaving families destitute and trapping them in debt bondage.
Sexist attitudes mean female leaders have to outperform men, a study finds
A new study has found that female heads of state are often less popular and judged more harshly than male counterparts.
Why female entrepreneurs flourish in managing diverse teams
The number of S&P 500 US companies led by women is only 5%, but research suggests that they could gain a lot with a woman at the helm.
This is the one question managers should ask themselves every day — especially when things go wrong
CEO of Gainsight, Nick Mehta, says that if you're a manager or a leader, there's a fundamental question you need to ask yourself: Are you giving your team everything they need to succeed?
Social media is empowering Sudanese women to become entrepreneurs
The Internet is enabling Sudanese women to work at home without jeopardising social expectations based on class, gender and religion.
Most US students aren’t learning about climate change. Parents and teachers think they should
In the United States, 84% of parents and 86% of teachers think climate change should be taught at schools.