2024 Global Talent Trends

Workforce 2.0: Unlocking potential in a machine-augmented world

As we look ahead to 2024, the world of work is in full metamorphosis, forever changed by the seismic shifts of the past few years. Societal dynamics are reshaping work structures, technology and AI are advancing at breakneck speed, and we are still navigating the aftermath and recovery of a post-pandemic world.

We wanted to hear how business executives, HR leaders, employees and investors were navigating this evolving landscape. More than 12,200 voices contributed to this year’s Global Talent Trends study and we are excited to share the results with you.

What’s top of mind in 2024?

This year’s Global Talent Trends study draws on insights from 845 C-Suite executives, 1920 HR leaders, 9449 employees and 84 investors from across 17 geographies and 16 industries. Their input defined the four trends that are shaping the People agenda in 2024:

Drive human-centric productivity

Solve the productivity equation with AI, assessment and work design

Anchor to trust & equity

Foster a climate of trust through fair pay, equity, and inclusion

Boost the corporate immune system

Build resilient cultures with teams that are risk aware and healthy at the core

Cultivate a digital-first culture

Design an adaptive, digitally fluent organisation where people can thrive

Organisations are taking the opportunity to reset their People strategy to intentionally build more sustainable, more inspiring, less exhausting work models.

Kate Bravery

Senior Partner, Mercer

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Webinar: Global Talent Trends – Australia

Our leaders discuss how to reframe the productivity narrative from doing more with less, to doing more with less effort.

Watch now >

What has gotten us to this point is not enough to take us further. We are on the cusp of a revolution. As organisations consider the promise of new technologies, it is imperative that the focus is not only on cost optimisation and profit. With human-machine teaming accelerating at an unprecedented rate, we finally have an opportunity to realise our dreams of a more intuitive, simplified, and customised work experience. In an era where people risk is business risk, getting this balance wrong can bring a company to its knees.

_{This content is intended to inform clients of Mercer’s views on particular issues. It should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for professional advice specific to a client’s individual circumstances. Whilst Mercer believes the prospective information and forward looking statements made by Mercer in this report are based on reasonable grounds, they are predictive in character and may therefore be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. While Mercer is issuing this content, Mercer takes no responsibility for any reliance taken over this content. This content has been prepared by Mercer LLC and issued by Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd (MCAPL) ABN 55 153 168 140. ‘MERCER’ is a registered trademark of Mercer (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 32 005 315 917.}