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Future of work

Global Talent Trends 2026. Solving the human–machine equation 

Understanding the workforce trends shaping workforce decisions in 2026.

You’re at a tipping point: rapid technology adoption, shifting skills, and new expectations are forcing you to rethink how your organization creates value through people.

Global Talent Trends 2026 gives you a data‑led, practical view of the workforce trends shaping your decisions—drawn from a global survey of nearly 12,000 executives, HR leaders, employees, and investors across 16 geographies and 16 industries—and shows you:

  • How peers are redesigning work to blend human capability with automation
  • What AI in the workplace looks like
  • How to prepare for the AI future of work
  • Which future-fit skills to develop
  • How to sharpen your employee value proposition to drive performance
Inside the report, you’ll find the guidance leaders need to act now:
  • Data-backed priorities
    Findings from nearly 12,000 executives, HR leaders, employees, and investors plus four shifts shaping workforce performance in 2026—so you know which changes will move the needle.
  • Actionable redesign playbook
    Practical steps and examples for aligning roles, skills, and AI to boost productivity, resilience, and sustainable growth.
  • Decision-ready benchmarks
    Metrics, industry comparisons, and investor perspectives to help you assess risk, justify investment, and measure ROI.
Download the Global Talent Trends 2026 report to turn these insights into concrete workforce decisions and competitive advantage.
Webcast

Mercer’s 2025 Outlook Webcast

How do we pave the way to a brighter future?
What will it take to balance mitigating risk in the short term with building organizations that are more resilient, inspiring, and sustainable?

The answers to these questions, along with insights on how you can invest with intent to advance your business in 2025 and beyond, were discussed during Mercer’s 2025 Outlook Webcast.

If you missed the webcast, you can watch the recording by clicking the link below.

Watch recording here

Four talent trends shaping the future of work

AI adoption continues to accelerate but organizations are increasingly focused on how work itself must evolve. This trend explores how organisations are redesigning work in the AI future of work to better integrate human capability with automation and AI, while building future-fit skills to support productivity and sustainable performance.

As workforce risks and skill requirements shift more quickly, organizations are placing greater emphasis on talent intelligence. This trend looks at how leaders are using workforce data and insight to strengthen workforce resilience, anticipate risk, and respond to emerging challenges such as the AI skills gap.

Employee expectations of work, reward and development continue to evolve. This trend examines how organisations are reassessing employee value proposition (EVP), including employee experience and communication and employee engagement to support engagement, performance and retention in a changing labour market.

HR functions are under pressure to move beyond traditional operating models. This trend explores the future of HR and how HR is evolving to play a more strategic role in shaping work, skills and organizational effectiveness.
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Unlock 2026’s Global Talent Trends

Get key insights on workforce shifts, AI, and talent strategies. Download the report.