New York (Web Desk/Agencies): Billions of people around the world are gripped by fear over job security or are already grappling with unemployment, as economic volatility, conflict, and the growing impact of climate change converge to destabilize global livelihoods, according to a newly released United Nations (UN) report.
The World Social Report 2025, published on Thursday, presents a sobering view of the state of global well-being. Despite advances in life expectancy, education, and digital connectivity, many people feel that the quality of life has deteriorated compared to half a century ago.
The report reveals that nearly 60% of individuals surveyed described themselves as "struggling," while another 12% reported they were "suffering," highlighting the depth of global discontent.
Job insecurity is no longer a challenge confined to low-income nations. Even in wealthier countries, increasing uncertainty driven by the rise of freelance work, digital automation, and economic transition is creating precarious conditions for workers.
While such work arrangements may offer flexibility, they often lack basic protections, stripping individuals of stability and reducing them to mere participants in a commodified labor economy.
In many developing regions, informal employment remains widespread. Workers in these roles often endure meager wages, zero benefits, and no safety net, making it nearly impossible to escape the cycle of poverty.
Even those in formal employment are vulnerable, frequently at risk of being pushed back into informal work during times of economic stress or crisis.
An estimated 2.8 billion people live on less than $6.85 a day—the benchmark for extreme poverty—making them especially susceptible to even minor economic shocks. For many, escaping poverty is a temporary relief, not a permanent solution.
Exacerbating the situation are the growing impacts of climate change and an escalation in violent conflicts, which continue to damage local economies and widen existing social and economic disparities, particularly in vulnerable regions.
As financial pressures rise and conditions worsen, public trust in institutions has weakened significantly. A global majority—57 percent of people—now express low confidence in their governments, and among those born in the 21st century, the numbers are even more stark. This growing disillusionment raises serious concerns about civic engagement and political stability in the years ahead.
Trust among individuals has also declined. In countries where data is available, less than 30% of people believe that others can generally be trusted, signaling a breakdown in social cohesion and complicating efforts to work collectively toward solutions.
The report also warns of the divisive impact of digital technologies, particularly social media, which have become fertile ground for misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation.
Algorithms increasingly promote extreme viewpoints, placing users in echo chambers that reinforce biases and heighten polarization. These dynamics are not only fragmenting societies but also making it more difficult to unite around shared challenges.
In response, the report calls for a profound shift in policy direction. Governments are urged to prioritize equity, economic stability, and solidarity by investing heavily in essential public services such as education, healthcare, housing, and social protection. These are not optional, the report stresses, but crucial foundations for resilience and inclusive development.
Restoring public trust will also require creating institutions that are both inclusive and accountable, while also addressing the concentration of power and wealth among a small elite.
With preparations underway for the Second World Summit for Social Development, scheduled to take place in Doha this November, the report calls for strong international leadership and coordinated action to steer the world toward a more just and stable future.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, writing in the report’s foreword, emphasized the importance of unity and decisive action.
“The global challenges we face demand collective solutions,” he stated.
“Now more than ever, we must strengthen our resolve to come together and build a world that is more just, secure, resilient and united for each and every one of us.”