As we move deeper into the digital age, the workforce is facing rapid transformation. The MPG 2025 Global Workforce Trends Report: Accelerating Adaptability highlights the critical shifts shaping how businesses and employees must evolve. From AI-driven disruption to shifting workforce demographics, here’s what leaders need to know.
1. The Expansive Workforce: A Changing Talent Landscape
The workforce is becoming more diverse and dynamic, with Gen Z entering the job market and Millennials stepping into leadership roles. Key challenges include:
- Gen Z’s high turnover risk (47% expect to leave their jobs within six months) and their demand for career growth opportunities.
- Millennial managers under pressure, juggling leadership responsibilities while prioritizing well-being and ethical leadership.
- Persistent gender gaps, with women still earning 20% less than men and nearly half of employers lagging in pay equity efforts.
2. New Ways of Working: Productivity & Flexibility at a Crossroads
The modern workplace continues to evolve, balancing flexibility with productivity demands.
- Remote and hybrid work remain prevalent, but frontline and on-site workers feel left out, with lower well-being and work-life balance.
- AI-driven productivity pressures are rising, with 77% of employees saying AI has added to their workload rather than reducing it.
- The gig economy is growing, now representing 12% of the global labor market, with businesses increasingly relying on freelance and contract workers.
3. Digital Transformation: AI’s Role in Workforce Durability
AI adoption is accelerating, but organizations are still struggling to implement it effectively.
- Nearly 48% of employers are using AI, but challenges around cost, regulations, and skills gaps remain.
- Career durability is essential—workers need applied technology skills and adaptability to navigate the evolving job landscape.
- Cybersecurity threats are growing, with global cyberattacks costing companies an average of $4.88 million per breach in 2024.
4. Accelerating Global Change: Economic & Environmental Pressures
The workforce must also adapt to broader global forces.
- Green business transformation is creating jobs, with 30 million new roles expected by 2030. However, 91% of employers lack the talent to meet sustainability goals.
- Geopolitical uncertainty is rising, impacting supply chains and causing 38% of CEOs to cancel business plans due to political risks.
- Employer power is at its peak, with companies enforcing stricter policies on pay, flexibility, and return-to-office mandates. However, a labor market rebound could shift this balance again.
The Road Ahead
The constant challenge of talent scarcity is a defining issue—74% of employers report difficulty finding the skilled workers they need. As automation and AI evolve, organizations must invest in upskilling, adaptability, and innovation to stay competitive.
Want to dive deeper into these insights?
Click here to read the full MPG 2025 Global Workforce Trends Report
What’s next? Companies that embrace these workforce shifts with a people-first approach will be best positioned for success in 2025 and beyond. Right Management helps organizations navigate these changes by equipping leaders and employees with the skills, career strategies, and workforce agility needed to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving talent landscape. From leadership development to career coaching and workforce transformation, we provide the expertise to build resilient, future-ready teams.
