How will the labour market shift in the year ahead? In mid-2025, 42% of chief people officers forecast no change in current uncertain labour market conditions over the next year, reflecting short-term caution amid long-term transformation opportunities. Low vacancy rates, shifting worker expectations and rapid AI adoption are reshaping how organizations plan, hire and design work.

The Chief People Officers Outlook, written in consultation with the World Economic Forum’s community of more than 130 global people leaders, explores priorities for building resilient, inclusive and tech-enabled workforces. It identifies three current strategic imperatives: redesigning organizational structures and job roles, strengthening company culture and purpose, and advancing intentional and responsible workforce AI deployment.

The report highlights how human-centred AI integration, agile talent strategies and empowered leadership can help organizations navigate disruption, improve talent pipelines and position the people function at the forefront of global workforce transformation.