МОТ – World Employment and Social Outlook, 2025

Employment growth around the world has remained steady in 2024, but the resilience of labor markets continues to be tested. Despite a global unemployment rate holding steady at 5 percent, young people are facing significantly higher rates of unemployment, with little improvement in sight. The return to pre-pandemic levels of informality and working poverty has hindered job recovery efforts, making it difficult to meet the targets of Sustainable Development Goals. This uncertainty is further compounded by geopolitical tensions, climate change costs, and sovereign debt risks, placing low-income countries at particular risk. The global economy is projected to gradually lose steam, limiting the potential for a strong and sustained labor market recovery. Despite technological advances, productivity growth has not accelerated, and challenges such as labor shortages and high levels of labor hoarding persist in many regions, preventing a swift return to pre-pandemic conditions.