Employment and Social Trends 2026

Paperback

Author:

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Publisher:

International Labour Office

Employment and Social Trends 2026, part of the ILO World of Work Series, examines the condition of global labour markets amid heightened economic, trade and demographic uncertainty. Although employment has remained broadly resilient, this stability is fragile and significant decent work deficits persist. Working poverty and informal employment are rising in many low-income countries, while women and young people continue to face unequal access to quality employment.

The report explores how demographic change is creating contrasting pressures across regions. High-income countries face ageing populations and shrinking labour forces, while many low-income countries are struggling to generate sufficient quality jobs for rapidly growing numbers of young labour-market entrants. At the same time, anticipated productivity gains from technologies such as artificial intelligence have yet to materialise, demonstrating that economic growth alone is not enough to secure meaningful improvements in employment quality.

Through analysis of global patterns, regional differences and outcomes across worker groups, the report presents labour-market projections for 2026 and 2027. It examines trends in labour-force participation, employment growth, informality and productivity, and considers how economic transformation can support better-quality employment. It calls for coordinated action by governments, employers and workers to reduce decent work deficits and advance social justice.

Key messages

• Labour markets remain broadly stable, but this resilience is fragile amid continuing economic and trade uncertainty.

• The global jobs gap remains substantial, while many existing jobs do not provide adequate security, income or working conditions.

• Labour-market outcomes are increasingly diverging between income groups and regions.

• Working poverty and informal employment are rising in many low-income countries.

• Productivity growth remains too weak and uneven to support convergence in living standards and employment quality.

• The expected productivity benefits of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, have not yet been widely realised.

• Women and young people continue to experience significant inequalities in employment opportunities and outcomes.

• Ageing populations are contributing to shrinking labour forces in many high income countries.

• Low-income countries are not creating enough quality jobs to benefit fully from their growing young populations.

Extent	76 pages	ISBN	9789220430552
Size	A4	Price	£22.00
Format	Print	Published	tbc
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