Global job market fragility is increasingly tied to U.S. consumerism, according to the latest International Labor Organization (ILO) report, which reveals a concerning slowdown in global GDP growth. The report lowers projections for global job growth, directly impacting millions worldwide. Key drivers include trade disruptions, high tariffs, and reliance on a single nation’s demand.News Directory 3 provides insights into how the Asia-Pacific region,despite strong growth,faces vulnerability. Simultaneously, global purchasing power declines while the demand for higher-skilled occupations rises. The report also highlights the continued prevalence of informal employment, skill mismatches, and the effects of automation impacting workers worldwide, especially in lower-income countries. Moreover, geopolitical instability and shifting job landscapes contribute to uncertainty. Discover what’s next for the global job market and what’s needed to spur growth.
Global Job Market Fragility Tied to U.S.Consumerism, Slowing GDP Growth
Updated june 6, 2025
Teh Asia-Pacific region shows strong employment and GDP growth, but a new report suggests the global job market is increasingly fragile and tied to U.S. consumerism. The International Labour Organization (ILO) released its World Employment and Social Outlook for May 2025, revealing lowered projections for global job growth.
Global GDP growth projections have fallen from 3.2% to 2.8%, correlating with a decrease in employment growth from 1.7% to 1.5%, representing 7 million fewer jobs. Trade disruptions linked to high tariffs and a reliance on a single country’s consumerism appear to be the primary drivers.
The report also notes a decline in the labor income share, from 53% in 2014 to 52.4% in 2024, indicating a global decrease in purchasing power. Simultaneously, employment is shifting toward higher-skill occupations in high- and middle-income countries. The report indicates that nearly one in four workers face some level of exposure to automation through generative AI.
Uncertainty is a major factor slowing job growth. Despite expanding global markets and easing inflation, employers are cautious about hiring. Geopolitical disturbances and systemic transitions have altered the job landscape, creating unforeseen challenges for businesses.
Inflation is projected to fall to 4.4% in 2025, down from 5.8% in 2024, potentially due to a contraction in global economic expansion. U.S. tariffs in April have significantly shifted global trading landscapes, leading to a synchronized slowdown across regions.
An estimated 407 million people worldwide want a job but cannot find one, forcing many to accept lower-quality or more vulnerable positions. The Asia-Pacific region, despite projecting a growth of 3.8%, remains vulnerable due to its reliance on U.S. import demand.
From 2014 to 2024, global GDP grew by 33.5%, with the Asia-Pacific region experiencing a 55% increase. The ILO report attributes economic growth in Asia-Pacific to productivity improvements rather than job creation,contrasting with Africa and Arab states,where economic growth was accompanied by increased employment opportunities.
Informal employment, representing 57.8% of all workers globally, remains slightly above formal employment. Labor income shares are declining in Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Central Asia, but increasing in Asia and the Pacific, along with Arab states, reflecting regional differences in technological and market structures.
Globally, over half of workers are mismatched to their jobs, being either undereducated or overeducated, with the largest deficit in low-income countries. However, rising education levels are contributing to a greater share of appropriately qualified workers.
“The findings of this report on the employment landscape are sobering,but they can also act as a roadmap for the creation of decent jobs,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo. “We can make a difference, and we can do so by strengthening social protection, investing in skills development, promoting social dialog, and building inclusive labor markets to ensure that technological change benefits all. And we must do so with urgency, ambition, and solidarity.”
What’s next
The ILO emphasizes the need for inclusivity and addressing each region’s specific needs and economic focus to expand the global economy.
