What is the FutureWORKS Asia Project?
FutureWORKS Asia is part of the FutureWORKS Collective, a global initiative supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, aimed at addressing the evolving challenges in the world of work across the Global South. As the Asian arm of the broader FutureWORKS network, this project focuses on conducting innovative, high-quality research to understand and shape the future of work in the region.
LIRNEasia is leading the development of a regional research network and commissioning high-quality, innovative, and gender-responsive research to advance skills and policies for an inclusive and sustainable future of work in Asia.
Through collaboration with regional stakeholders, policy influencers, and research partners, LIRNEasia works to build a vibrant research network that generates actionable insights and promotes policy recommendations to advance skills for the future of work in Asia. This work contributes to shaping public policy processes, driving innovation, and supporting the creation of more equitable and sustainable employment opportunities across the region.
FutureWORKS Asia operates alongside other regional hubs across the Global South. Parallel networks are being developed in Africa by the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Ghana; in the MENA region by the American University of Beirut; and in Latin America and the Caribbean by Red Sudamericana de Economía Aplicada. These regional efforts are connected through a global hub led by the JustJobs Network, which facilitates knowledge-sharing, dissemination, and capacity-building activities across regions, fostering collaboration and shared learning on the future of work.
The FutureWORKS Asia initiative is currently implementing projects under two cycles, with 12 research projects actively underway across the region.
FutureWORKS Asia:
Navigating the Evolving Labour Landscape
The Asia Pacific region is home to more than 60% of the world’s population and over half of the global labour force. Yet it is also one of the most diverse regions in the world, with significant differences in labour markets, institutions, and levels of economic development.
The region is undergoing profound changes driven by digital transformation, climate change, and demographic shifts. Advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms are reshaping jobs and skills, while climate change is affecting livelihoods, productivity, and working conditions across the region. Demographic trends—including ageing populations, migration, and changing patterns of care and employment—are further reshaping labour markets and placing new pressures on social protection systems.
These shifts present both opportunities and challenges. While new forms of work and innovation are emerging, many workers—particularly women, youth, informal workers, and other vulnerable groups—face heightened risks of job insecurity, skills mismatches, and unequal access to opportunities. These challenges are especially pronounced in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where institutions and labour market systems may be less equipped to respond to rapid change.
FutureWORKS Asia is a collaborative initiative aimed at building a research network that explores and addresses the multifaceted and ever-changing dimensions of work in Asia. Led by LIRNEasia, the FutureWORKS Asia research hub brings together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the key challenges shaping the future of work in our region.