--- title: ManpowerGroup Global Workforce Trends 2026 description: Explore how hybrid human–AI “super teams,” rapid reskilling, and shifting worker expectations are reshaping the global talent landscape, and discover the key trends and actions leaders need to future‑proof their workforce. image: https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/MPG-The-Human-Edge-2026-Global-Trends-Report_page-0001.jpg --- [![ManpowerGroup Logo](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/MPG_Logo_RGB_HOR-2.png)](https://www.manpowergroup.com.au/) [Need help? Reach out to us on 1300 725 937](tel:%201300%20725%20937) ## Global Future of Work Trends --- # The Human Edge \- Clear view of how AI, automation, and hybrid human–machine teams will reshape work in the next decade. \- Practical prompts you can use immediately for upskilling, talent, and leadership planning. \- Fresh global stats you can plug into exec decks and future-of-work narratives. ## The Driving Forces Shaping the Workforce For more than 10 years, we have partnered with our clients to explore four underlying forces shaping the future of work. This year’s research includes insights from surveys of more than 12,000 workers and 40,000 employers across 41 countries.    ![Add a subheading (4)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Add%20a%20subheading%20(4).png?width=2000&height=1040&name=Add%20a%20subheading%20(4).png "Add a subheading (4)") **Hybrid Super Teams**    An increasingly diverse global workforce will impact the future of who is available to work, as well as when and how they’ll work. ​  ![Add a subheading (5)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Add%20a%20subheading%20(5).png?width=2000&height=1040&name=Add%20a%20subheading%20(5).png "Add a subheading (5)") **Rapid Relearning**   The future of work will be won by those who truly qualify as fast learners. Workers will continually be called upon to develop new skills in keeping with ongoing AI integration, and their job effectiveness and productivity will be scrutinized like never before. ![Add a subheading (6)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Add%20a%20subheading%20(6).png?width=2000&height=1040&name=Add%20a%20subheading%20(6).png "Add a subheading (6)") **Changing Norms**    Amidst an epidemic of social loneliness, geopolitical disruptions, and environmental stress, we are seeing the systems we know and trust hint at collapse. Current leaders yearn to turn the clock back.   ![Add a subheading (7)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Add%20a%20subheading%20(7).png?width=2000&height=1040&name=Add%20a%20subheading%20(7).png "Add a subheading (7)") **The Succession Crisis**    Four-year degrees no longer guarantee gainful employment, and “blue collar” jobs are gaining popularity, but the paths to them remain stigmatized and elusive. In corporations, a dearth of available leaders to oversee AI means that intermediate to advanced human expertise will be prized. ## The future of work imperative in this report is to redesign work around human–AI “super teams” while tackling persistent talent shortages, skill gaps, and leadership droughts in an era of rapid change. [Download the report](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/global-workforce-trends-2026#report) ## Explore More Insights [See all](https://www.manpowergroup.com.au/workforce-insights?source=downloads.manpowergroup.com.au) [![MEOS Q126\_Report-Cover\_AU\_LI-FB-X (1)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/MEOS%20Q126_Report-Cover_AU_LI-FB-X%20(1).jpg)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/employment-outlook-survey-q1-2026) Report Employment Outlook Survey Q1 2026 Providing employers and employees a forward-looking perspective on employment and hiring intentions. [DOWNLOAD](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/employment-outlook-survey-q1-2026) [![MAN-WIL-2025-Automation-White-Paper-Social-Post-Cover-1200x628 (1)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/MAN-WIL-2025-Automation-White-Paper-Social-Post-Cover-1200x628%20(1).jpg)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/automation-whitepaper) Whitepaper Making Industrial & Software Automation Full Partners at Work [DOWNLOAD](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/automation-whitepaper) [![ts-1x1-coworkers-reviewing-documents-on-a-tablet](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/ts-1x1-coworkers-reviewing-documents-on-a-tablet.jpg)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/en-au/hire) Hire Talent # Find talent to move your business forward. faster [Post a Job](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/en-au/hire) ## We are ManpowerGroup® a global leader in workforce solutions ManpowerGroup®, with 75+ years of experience, operates in 75 countries, placing 2 million professionals into meaningful work and supporting 100,000+ clients annually. The group features a comprehensive family of global brands – Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions, and Safesearch – offering domain-specific expertise to tackle complex workforce challenges. We connect talent to organisations efficiently through our optimised multi-channel approach, offering contingent workforce strategies and innovative talent solutions. Our experienced Australian talent specialists leverage expertise, networks, and quality-assured assessment methods to uncover and nurture top talent. [![MAN\_Logo\_RGB\_HOR (1)\_resized (1)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/MAN_Logo_RGB_HOR%20(1)_resized%20(1).png)](https://www.manpower.com.au/) Manpower [Manpower®](https://www.manpower.com.au/) is a global leader in contingent staffing and permanent recruitment. It provides rapid access to a highly qualified and productive pool of candidates across a broad range of role types. [Learn more](https://www.manpower.com.au/) [![EXP\_Logo\_RGB\_HOR (1)\_resized (1)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/EXP_Logo_RGB_HOR%20(1)_resized%20(1).png)](https://www.experis.com.au/) Experis [Experis®](https://www.experis.com.au/) is a global leader in IT professional resourcing, permanent recruitment, project solutions and managed services specialising in Business Transformation, Cloud and infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Digital Workspace and Enterprise Applications. [Learn more](https://www.experis.com.au/) [![talentsolutions\_transparent\_resized (1)](https://downloads.manpowergroup.com.au/hubfs/talentsolutions_transparent_resized%20(1).png)](https://www.mpgtalentsolutions.com/au/en) Talent Solutions [Talent Solutions®](https://www.mpgtalentsolutions.com/au/en) offers tailored solutions to transform organisations' talent lifecycles, assisting with sourcing, managing, and developing talent with expertise and agility. 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