Geneva, 14 January 2026.- While global economic growth remains resilient and the unemployment rate is expected to remain stable at 4.9 per cent by 2026, the real labour market situation is deteriorating. In its report Social Trends and Employment 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warns against stagnation in the quality of jobs, the persistence of poverty at work, the expansion of informality and the structural obstacles still facing young people and women.
The report reveals that about 300 million workers still live in extreme poverty, with less than three dollars a day, while informality continues to expand. By 2026, almost 2.1 billion people are expected to be in informal jobs, often without basic rights and security. This situation is particularly critical in low-income countries, where the transition to higher value-added sectors remains slow, hampering productivity and creating quality jobs.
Young people are among the most affected. In 2025, youth unemployment reached 12.4%, and about 260 million of them were not in employment, education or training. The ILO also warns against the potential effects of artificial intelligence and automation, which may increase the difficulties of job integration, especially for young graduates. Moreover, gender inequalities persist: women account for only two fifths of world employment and remain largely excluded from the labour market due to social norms and structural discrimination.
In response to these findings, ILO calls for concerted action by governments, employers and workers. Investing in skills, reducing inequalities, regulating the use of artificial intelligence and enhancing the benefits of trade appear to be priorities. Without strong and coordinated institutional responses, the organisation warns, the lack of decent work risks aggravating and weakening global social cohesion.
R.J.
