A Coming Jobs Challenge in Emerging Markets? | World Economic Forum 2026

0 January 21, 2026 21:01

With 1.2 billion new workers competing for 400 million jobs in emerging economies over the next decade, closing the gap will require not only an expansion of skills training but also alternative employment models and entrepreneurial support.

What does it take to reimagine how we adapt to a new world of work and tackle the looming jobs crisis?

Speakers:
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
President of the Republic of Singapore, Office of the President of the Republic of Singapore

Tengku Muhammad Taufik
President and Group Chief Executive Officer, PETRONAS (Petroliam Nasional)

Ajay S. Banga
President, World Bank Group

Nandan Nilekani
Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, Infosys Limited

Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Office of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Stephanie Flanders
Head, Economics and Government, Bloomberg LP

Wale Edun
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Federal Ministry of Finance of Nigeria

Moderator:
Saadia Zahidi
Managing Director, World Economic Forum

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Video: World Economic Forum

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