Human Capital Trends Study

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Human Capital Trends Study
2026

Human Capital Trends Study

Learn from 2,300+ business leaders what’s driving workforce strategy today — from AI readiness to employee value propositions driving greater impact.

Human Capital Trends Study

Technology Powered. People Driven.

How Humans Amplify Outcomes in the Age of AI

AI has moved from exploration to execution. Organizations are investing heavily in technology - but most are not investing in their people at the same pace. The 2026 Human Capital Trends Study shows where that gap is widening and how you can help close it.

Key Takeaways
  1. AI Implementation Has Gone Mainstream. AI Readiness Has Not. Organizations are deploying AI faster than they are building the skills, structures and human support needed to make it effective. Explore what’s needed for sustained readiness.
  2. Investing in People is the Ultimate Advantage in the Age of AI. Human skills remain the most critical driver to business success. Without them, technology and AI cannot deliver impact. Discover how to build a culture that supports lasting transformation.
  3. Employee Value Propositions Are Powering Meaningful Change. As people costs rise, a persistent gap remains between intended support and the employee experience. Understand how EVPs and data maturity are the levers that turn investment in people into impact.

Our Human Capital Trends Study insights provide the foresight, readiness and intent leaders need to see what’s coming and shape what’s next.

Jump to Section

  1. Introduction

  2. Methodology

  3. Regional and Country Overviews

  4. Explore More

  5. Contact Us

Quote icon

AI success ultimately depends on people, but most organizations are still investing primarily in the technology. That disconnect is where opportunity is lost.

Byron Beebe
Byron Beebe
CEO of Human Capital
Explore insights on AI workforce readiness, future skills, employee experience and more

  • 88%

    agree AI will create new opportunities and require new skills

  • 19%

    of organizations say their Employee Value Proposition is clearly defined and well understood

Methodology

Methodology

From November 2025 to January 2026, Aon conducted a Human Capital Trends survey, 2,361 board directors, senior business and people leaders from organizations worldwide shared their perspectives on a range of human capital topics. The global survey spanned a range of industries, across 62 geographies, including 23 with samples of 30+ participants, including: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nordics, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, UAE, UK and the U.S. The survey results and subsequent analysis form the basis of our Human Capital Trends Study.

Regional and Country Overviews

Asia Pacific (8)

8 Solutions
  • APAC

    Explore insights from APAC, highlighting how organizations are navigating AI adoption, workforce transformation and evolving employee expectations to drive meaningful impact.

  • Australia

    How are Australian organizations navigating cost pressures and benefit constraints while responding to growing expectations around wellbeing and flexibility?

  • China

    China is building momentum in AI readiness, so how can organizations translate this into stronger talent attraction, wellbeing and financial security?

  • Hong Kong

    Hong Kong is accelerating AI adoption, but how are organizations addressing persistent talent shortages and benefits gaps?

  • India

    India is outperforming in data maturity and engagement, so how can organizations close the gap between employee expectations and benefits delivery?

  • Malaysia

    How can organizations in Malaysia address low EVP clarity and AI talent gaps to support long-term resilience?

  • Philippines

    The Philippines is investing in AI skills, but how are organizations tackling talent shortages and compensation benchmarking to stay competitive?

  • Singapore

    How can organizations in Singapore close benefits gaps and strengthen EVP clarity to enhance the employee experience?

Europe, Middle East and Africa (11)

11 Solutions
  • Germany

    Germany is advancing in AI and pay transparency, but how can organizations better connect investment to employee experience and real workforce impact?

  • Ireland

    With some of the highest AI deployment globally, how are Irish organizations ensuring their workforce keeps pace and bridging gaps in EVP clarity?

  • Italy

    Italian organizations risk falling behind in AI adoption, what steps are needed to unlock skills development and improve employee experience?

  • Netherlands

    Dutch organizations are lagging behind on benefits customization, so how can they turn employee expectations for personalized benefits into reality?

  • Nordics

    The Nordics are advancing in AI adoption, but how can organizations improve data maturity and close gaps in employee benefits and support?

  • Poland

    Poland is optimistic about AI, so what will it take to accelerate adoption and strengthen workforce skills for future growth?

  • Portugal

    Portuguese organizations see strong AI opportunity, but how can they close reskilling gaps and build more future-ready workforces?

  • Spain

    Spain has strong data insights, but how can organizations better translate them into action on wellbeing, pay transparency and talent strategy?

  • Türkiye

    Türkiye is building strong foundations in data and EVP, but how can organizations accelerate AI adoption and workforce readiness?

  • United Arab Emirates

    The UAE is advancing talent and EVP maturity, how are organizations leveraging this to attract AI talent and strengthen workforce outcomes?

  • United Kingdom

    UK employers face a growing gap between benefits intent and employee experience, how can they strengthen communication, EVP and transparency?

Latin America (4)

4 Solutions
  • LATAM

    Explore insights from LATAM, highlighting how organizations are navigating AI adoption, workforce transformation and evolving employee expectations to drive meaningful impact.

  • Brazil

    Brazilian organizations see strong opportunity in AI, but how can they close the gap in data maturity to fully realise that potential?

  • Colombia

    Colombian employers show confidence in their people strategies, but where are the gaps between ambition and the employee experience?

  • Mexico

    Despite strong confidence in data maturity, compensation benchmarking falls below the global average in Mexico. How can organizations stay competitive?

North America (3)

3 Solutions
  • North America

    Explore insights from North America, highlighting opportunities for organizations to cultivate a more efficient, productive and strategic human capital proposition.

  • Canada

    With rising costs and talent pressures, how are Canadian employers strengthening their value proposition and preparing for AI-driven disruption?

  • United States

    U.S. organizations are deploying AI at scale, but how can they bring more employees on the reskilling journey?

How Humans Amplify Outcomes in the Age of AI

To stay ahead, organizations must confront today’s workforce challenges head-on. Our insights provide the foresight, readiness and intent needed to drive meaningful change — from AI readiness and skills development to understanding how EVPs unlock impact and ROI. Explore the data that helps organizations thrive in uncertainty.

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