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.
Working poverty rate
This snapshot presents global and regional trends along with the most recent country-level figures. All data are ILO modelled estimates, with the underlying employment figures based on the previous statistical standards and definitions adopted at the 13th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) (ILO, 1982). For more details, refer to the relevant databases and their […]
Informal employment rate
This snapshot presents global and regional trends along with the most recent country-level figures, based on the latest statistical standards and definitions adopted at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) (ILO, 2013), as well as the previous standards from the 13th ICLS (ILO, 1982). In some cases, such as for high-income countries, these […]
Employment-to-population ratio
This snapshot presents global and regional trends along with the most recent country-level figures, based on the latest statistical standards and definitions adopted at the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) (ILO, 2013), as well as the previous standards from the 13th ICLS (ILO, 1982). In some cases, such as for high-income countries, these […]
World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025
The WESO Trends 2025 report provides an in-depth analysis of global labour market trends, highlighting the impacts of slowing economic recovery, persistent youth unemployment, and gender disparities. It examines the structural challenges facing workers worldwide and offers insights into regional and global patterns shaping the future of work.
Quick guide on the communication of results after implementation of latest standards on statistics of work, employment, and labour underutilization
A crucial aspect of the implementation of latest labour statistics standards is the effective communication of the results, to ensure getting the best out of the data. This guide aims to provide practical data visualization examples to convey clearly and intuitively the impact of methodological changes on key labour indicators following the implementation of the 19th ICLS resolution and avoid misinterpretation of the results.
Survey Questions for Collecting Data on Work Relationships and Informality
Recommended survey questions to collect data on work relationships (ICSE-18), informal employment, and the sector of economic units (informal, formal, and household own-use production and community sector).
Note on the implementation of 19th, 20th and 21st ICLS standards
This note provides an overview of the requirements to apply the latest statistical standards through household surveys.
Who powers the public sector?
Delve into the characteristics and working conditions of public servants delivering essential goods and services and the public sector’s impact on addressing labour market inequalities.