2026 Human Capital Outlook: 5 Forces to Act on

14.01.2026

The human capital forces that will shape 2026 will require organizations to seize opportunities to make data-led, forward-looking and more connected people decisions. This is amidst an environment of interconnected people and business risks, rising costs and high workforce expectations for a compelling employee experience.

Drawing on our extensive in-house data and insights from supporting clients on a range of human capital issues, we have gathered a list of five forces we believe will shape the workforce in 2026 and beyond. While these may look like separate issues, they show up as one core question in the C-suite: How do we ensure our workforce strategy is supporting and helping deliver on our business goals?

To respond to this challenge, HR professionals and business leaders need to evaluate how these forces are interconnected and address them holistically. Read on for insights and tips to make better informed workforce decisions.