Global job market will take longer to recover; 2022 to see 52 million less jobs than pre-pandemic level: ILO

The job market across economies will take longer to recover, and the world labour market will witness equivalent of 52 million less jobs in 2022 versus the pre Covid-19 levels, International Labour Organisation (ILO) said on January 17.

The global labour market outlook has deteriorated as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to infect people and restrict economic recovery, the UN body said, adding that “a return to pre-pandemic performance is likely to remain elusive for much of the world over the coming years”.

“On the basis of the latest economic growth forecasts, the ILO is projecting that total hours worked globally in 2022 will remain almost 2 percent below their pre-pandemic level when adjusted for population growth, corresponding to a deficit of 52 million full-time equivalent jobs (assuming a 48-hour working week),” ILO said in a report.