Whiteshield and Google Cloud Unveil 2025 Global Labour Resilience Index

Whiteshield, in collaboration with Google Cloud, has released the 9th edition of the Global Labour Resilience Index (GLRI) at an exclusive event during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos. Developed in partnership with the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS) and based on a decade of data covering over 70 key indicators, the report offers critical insights into how 118 nations are adapting their labour markets to external shocks, including the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

The findings reveal a stark reality: while some countries are poised to capitalize on AI’s potential, the majority risk falling behind in the race toward AI-driven economic transformation.

AI and the Future of Work: Challenges and Opportunities

The report was launched at a high-level event titled “The Transformative Impact of AI on Global Economies & Labour Markets.” Nobel Laureate Sir Christopher Pissarides, Special Advisor and Director at Whiteshield, chaired the session alongside Anna Koivuniemi, Head of Google DeepMind Impact Accelerator. Over 50 senior policymakers, business leaders, and academics attended the discussion, emphasizing the growing urgency of AI-related workforce policies.

According to the GLRI 2025, the most resilient labour markets are those that successfully blend traditional labour policies with strategic AI investments and personalized, data-driven workforce strategies. The United States and Singapore lead the global rankings, credited with their entrepreneurial ecosystems, flexible labour markets, and AI leadership. Sweden follows closely, owing to its heavy investments in education and R&D. Meanwhile, India, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are among the fastest-improving nations due to their targeted AI investments.

AI presents significant opportunities for labour markets, fostering job creation in fields like AI data architecture, human-AI interaction design, and AI ethics. However, it also poses serious risks, including job displacement, wage inequality, and economic polarization. The GLRI stresses the need for proactive policies to ensure the equitable distribution of AI-driven economic benefits.

Key Findings: AI is Reshaping Labour Market Resilience

The United States remains a global leader, attracting 60% of global AI investments over the past decade and home to 25% of the world’s AI startups. States like California, Massachusetts, and Washington stand out as AI innovation hubs. However, AI is also widening the economic gap, with inequality emerging as a major challenge.

European nations dominate the top 10, with Germany, Sweden, and the UK demonstrating strong AI integration. Yet, some nations—including Denmark, Austria, and Luxembourg—have slipped in the rankings, highlighting the need for renewed investments in AI adoption.

The GLRI outlines three distinct approaches to labour market resilience:

  1. The Traditional Pathway – Led by Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands, focusing on strong social safety nets, education, and stable economic policies.
  2. The AI and Innovation-Driven Pathway – Best exemplified by the US, prioritizing entrepreneurship, AI research, and economic flexibility.
  3. The Blended Pathway – Represented by Singapore, integrating strong governance with AI-focused investments.

A key shift emphasized in the report is moving away from “one-size-fits-all” policies toward AI-driven, personalized workforce strategies that leverage big data, blockchain, and IoT.

Regional Insights: The AI Divide is Growing

Europe: Strength in Resilience, But Uneven Progress

Europe remains a global leader in labour resilience, with six of the top ten economies. Germany (5th globally) excels in AI integration, while nations like Moldova (113th) continue to struggle. Despite strong AI adoption, one-third of European countries rank outside the top 50 in transformative capacity.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Potential

The region ranks last globally, with 12 of the 20 lowest-ranked nations. However, Africa’s young, rapidly growing population represents an untapped opportunity for AI-driven workforce transformation. Targeted policies in education, digital literacy, and infrastructure could help bridge the gap.

Middle East & North Africa (MENA): AI Investment Rising, but Disparities Persist

The MENA region ranks 4th globally, with GCC countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia making major AI advancements. However, non-GCC nations lag behind, particularly in AI entrepreneurship and adaptive resilience.

Asia-Pacific (APAC): Balanced Growth with AI Leadership

The APAC region holds its 3rd place ranking, with Singapore, China, and South Korea leading AI-driven transformations. Singapore (2nd globally) stands out for its business-friendly environment and AI-focused policies, while China ranks among the top three globally in AI adoption. Japan and Australia also perform well, though governance challenges hinder China’s overall ranking.

A Call to Action: Preparing for the AI-Driven Future

The GLRI 2025 urges governments, businesses, and policymakers to take proactive steps in shaping future labour markets. Karan Bhatia, Google’s Global Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, emphasized that countries must act now to ensure AI creates opportunities for all, rather than deepening inequalities.

Sir Christopher Pissarides reinforced this urgency, stating:

“This year’s report provides actionable insights to address technological disruption, economic inequality, and global crises. By understanding how labour markets evolve, we can drive innovation and create opportunities that benefit everyone.”

The report concludes with a clear warning: nations that fail to invest in AI-driven workforce strategies risk economic stagnation, rising inequality, and missed opportunities for sustainable growth. The time to act is now.

🔹 Access the full GLRI 2025 report  here.

Previous Story

BrazzPR Secures $75K for Wrkman Through Digital Storytelling

Next Story

Fujifilm brings fun with Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer