21 May 2026

Mercer report: Global Talent Trends 2026

This report is based on a survey of approximately 12,000 people - C-suite executives, HR leaders, investors and employees.

It uncovers four trends in how the workplace is adapting to AI. Organisations are increasingly focused on how work must evolve with AI adoption. They are also using workforce data and insight to strengthen workforce resilience, anticipate risk and respond to the AI skills gap.

Organisations are reassessing employee value proposition (EVP), including employee experience and communication and employee engagement to support engagement, performance and retention in a changing labour market. And HR is evolving to play a more strategic role in shaping work, skills and organisational effectiveness.

Download the full report to discover:

57% of C-suite leaders believe redesigning work around AI will drive the greatest return on investment.
32% of C-suite leaders believe their workforce can effectively combine human and machine capabilities today
Yet employee thriving has fallen from 66% in 2024 to just 44% in 2026—the lowest level since Mercer began tracking it.