Chief People Officers’ Outlook is a World Economic Forum insight report published in May 2026. Based on a survey of senior people leaders, it examines labour-market expectations, workforce strategy, artificial intelligence adoption and the effects of geopolitical fragmentation on access to talent and skills.
Key insights:
50% of chief people officers expect talent availability to improve over the next 12 months, while 29% expect it to weaken.
The main challenge is not the overall supply of workers, but matching employers with people who have critical and future-ready skills.
Reviewing organizational structures and job design is the leading workforce priority, selected by 74% of respondents.
Upskilling and reskilling, alongside AI and process automation, were each prioritized by 70% of respondents.
83% expect their organizations to reach the scaling stage of AI adoption within the next 6–12 months.
Geopolitical pressures, visa restrictions and labour-market localization policies are limiting access to international talent.
Organizations are responding through internal mobility, rapid redeployment, stronger cybersecurity and diversified regional talent hubs