Unpacking informality: A multidimensional policy decomposition
This working paper presents a practical additive decomposition of informal employment, showing where policy action can reduce it. Applied to the case of Colombia, it identifies the main factors behind recent declines in informality.
The world of work and the 2030 Agenda: a ten-year review
When the world adopted the Sustainable Development Goals a decade ago, it pledged to achieve each one of them by 2030. With less than five years left, ILO data shows that much more is needed if we are to fulfil that promise.
Digital labour platforms: Number of platforms and workers
This brief examines the growth of digital labour platforms and provides updated estimates on the number of active platforms and workers engaged through them. It highlights persistent measurement gaps and underscores the need for internationally agreed statistical standards to improve comparability and inform policy.
Employment and Social Trends 2026
This report examines the state of global labour markets, highlighting stable headline employment alongside stalled progress in job quality and widening inequalities. The report analyses productivity, demographic and economic pressures shaping work in the year ahead and outlines the challenges to achieving more inclusive growth.
Dataviz: Employment and Social Trends 2026
The WESO report’s dataviz presents the underlying ILO estimates used to examine the state of global labour markets, highlighting stable headline employment alongside stalled progress in job quality and widening inequalities. Indicators cover the labour force, employment, labour underutilization and working poverty.
Those left behind: the forgotten in the fight against global poverty
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the ILO explores progress and gaps in addressing all forms of poverty for workers, their families and communities.
The State of Social Justice 2025
This report evaluates key indicators used to measure the global progress and ongoing challenges in achieving social justice, building on the premise of the ILO Constitution that “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”.
The complex link between education and labour underutilization
On World Youth Skills Day, we explore the hardships of university graduates to find decent jobs around the world.
World Employment and Social Outlook: May 2025 Update
The latest edition of the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Trends reveals new data on job growth forecasts, shifting employment trends, income inequality, and the implications of technological change. It also explores the risks tied to rising geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions, and their ripple effects across regions and sectors.
Digital progress without inclusion leaves workers behind
On World Telecommunication & Information Society Day, we celebrate the progress made in extending access to key digital resources, while also recognizing the risks and challenges of digitalization, particularly in the world of work.