(Finance) – One increasingly diverse workforcecalled to deal with aacceleration of digital transformations, new operating models and one growing global talent shortageall in a context characterized by geopolitical instability and challenges related to environmental sustainability. These are the main work trends for 2025 highlighted in ManpowerGroup “Accelerating Adaptability” reportpublished on the occasion of World Economic Forum in Davos.
“The significant growth opportunities offered by technological change, generative AI and the green transition can only be seized if companies have access to the skilled talent they need to accelerate transformation and if people have access to the growing jobs” , he declared Jonas Prising, President and CEO of ManpowerGroup. “At this week’s World Economic Forum annual meeting we will address the key challenge for businesses and governments: how to develop practical solutions to help people overcome challenges in many markets as they struggle to understand where their skills fit into a rapidly evolving world of work workforce remains the most precious resource of a company and targeted reskilling is necessary to accelerate growth, adapt and unlock human potential.”
“The future of work as highlighted in our report is extremely complex but at the same time full of great opportunities for growth and transformation” he declared Anna Gionfriddo, CEO of ManpowerGroup. “Companies are increasingly required to implement new strategies and invest in skills to quickly adapt to a constantly evolving global context, so as to be able to maintain their competitiveness at the same time. It is not just a question of adopting new technologies but of create a work ecosystem that puts people’s well-being at the center and becomes capable of attracting new generations, offering the training and support necessary to face growing challenges and pressures”.
The report “Accelerating Adaptability: 2025 Global Workforce Trends” outlines 16 key trends across four major forces that are shaping the future of work: an expanding workforce, new ways of working, digital transformation and accelerating global change. Key themes include data on adoption of artificial intelligence, well-being as a priority, the career span of the workforce and the centrality of DEIB initiatives.
The spread of artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the working world, with 48% of companies globally already use this technology. However, there is no shortage of difficulties: 31% of employers report that they do not have the necessary skills to implement these innovations, while more than three in four workers (77%) find, following the use of AI-based tools , an increased workload and a reduction in productivity, with 47% saying they don’t know how to achieve the goals set by their organisation.
These changes therefore contribute to fueling new pressures and risk having a negative impact on the well-being of workers. Nearly half (49%) say they face moderate or high levels of daily stress, while only 21% feel fully supported by their employers. It therefore becomes urgent to adopt strategies aimed at improving well-being, offering working environments designed to promote connection and support, both in the office and remotely. A need increasingly requested by the new generations, led by GenZ, who show the greatest propensity to leave their role voluntarily in the next six months (47%). Even Millennials – 60% of whom now hold managerial roles – are not immune to stress: 53% report high levels of daily pressure and 27% consider it likely to change jobs in the short term.
Another crucial theme concerns the evolution of skills. In fact, by 2030 it is expected that 50% of the skills required will be different compared to 2016with generative AI set to accelerate this transformation by up to 68%, leading to an increase in the current talent scarcity. Automation and AI-based technologies will not immediately solve the talent shortage, as these systems require significant human oversight to function effectively. In this regard, more than half of employers (55%) see AI as an opportunity to open new positions, predicting an overall increase in demand for staff.
The report highlights additional critical challenges that companies need to address, such as sustainability and gender equality. While the green sector is destined to generate up to 30 million new jobs by 203091% of companies note that they do not yet have the skills necessary to achieve their sustainability goals. At the same time, gender inequalities remain a significant issue within organisations, with female workers earning on average 20% less than men. While some large global brands have recently scaled back their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging goals and programs, the majority of global employers (61%) continue to consider DEIB initiatives an important part of strategic workforce planning .