The difference in average working hours and significant gender gaps between the 33 countries is prominent, the report looks at the potential reasons behind this. In all markets featured within the report, women are less likely to participate in the labour market, and when they do, they are less likely to find employment.
Birth rates are falling and life expectancy is rising across the globe, and population ageing is predicted to accelerate further in the coming years. An ageing workforce is a longer-term trend which has the potential to disrupt the business landscape dramatically in the coming years
Some of the research raises important questions, such as the fact that the share of national income that workers receive is shrinking. Could this be down to factors like machine learning, developments in AI and the growing use of robots in industry? The answer is, of course, more complex than a simple yes or no. However, in essence, we can ascertain that policy-makers must try to ensure professionals possess the right skills to take advantage of new opportunities.
To learn about these issues impacting the global skilled labour market and more, read the latest Hays Global Skills Index.