The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called on governments worldwide to establish lifelong learning as a central pillar of economic and social policy. In a newly released report, the ILO warns that without stronger investment in inclusive learning systems, ongoing transformations risk exacerbating inequalities both between and within countries.
Lifelong Learning as a Bridge to Future Opportunities
According to the ILO, lifelong learning is essential as digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), the green transition, and demographic shifts continue to reshape global labour markets. ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo described lifelong learning as the bridge between today's jobs and tomorrow's opportunities. He emphasized that it is not only about employability and productivity but also about supporting decent work, driving genuine innovation, and building resilient societies. Houngbo stressed that lifelong learning is a central element of any successful strategy for sustainable growth and development.
Impact of Digitalisation and Green Transition
The report highlights that digital technologies, including AI, are fundamentally changing how work is performed. Meanwhile, the shift towards environmentally sustainable economies is transforming production systems and employment patterns. At the same time, population ageing in many regions is placing greater demands on older workforces and increasing care needs. The ILO notes that workers with less formal education, those in informal jobs, or those employed in smaller enterprises predominantly learn by doing. In contrast, others are more likely to learn from experienced colleagues and have access to structured training programs.
Need for Comprehensive Learning Systems
The report underscores the necessity of learning systems that better reflect how people acquire skills throughout their working lives. It finds that a narrow focus on technical skills is insufficient. Globally, the ILO estimates that 32 per cent of workers perform environmentally relevant tasks. However, the report cautions that jobs linked to the green transition are not automatically decent jobs. Without the right mix of skills and supportive policies, new opportunities may not lead to improved working conditions.
Growing Demand for Care Workers
The report also highlights the growing need for care workers. The global demand for long-term care workers is expected to rise from 85 million in 2023 to 158 million by 2050. Many paid care workers still face poor working conditions, and their skills are often undervalued and underpaid in sectors that provide essential services to societies.
Policy Recommendations
The ILO report calls for a comprehensive approach that extends beyond formal education to include learning and training opportunities in workplaces and across society as a whole. It emphasizes that lifelong learning is about more than employability and productivity; it underpins decent work, genuine innovation, active citizenship, and social inclusion, making it a cornerstone of any effective strategy for sustainable growth and development.
Funding and Governance Challenges
In many countries, learning systems remain fragmented and chronically underfunded. In high-income countries, 34 per cent allocate less than one per cent of their public education budgets to adult learning and education. In low-income countries, this figure climbs to 63 per cent. The report stresses the need for strong governance, coordination, financing, and social dialogue. Without decisive action, the transformations shaping the future of work risk leaving large segments of the global workforce behind.
