Covering nine countries across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia-Pacific, our annual survey report gives a snapshot of the current HR landscape on an international scale. We explore people professionals’ perceptions of the trends impacting their work, the challenges and opportunities these bring, and how they feel about their careers and working lives amidst these changes.

Against a backdrop of economic instability, advancing technology, new models of working and the transition to net zero, we explore how people professionals are responding and adapting people practice in line with local workforce priorities.

Watch our short video below to find out what our report covers

People Profession 2023: International survey report

We also provide separate region-specific reports that give perspectives on the key trends influencing the world of work in the UK and Ireland, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, and Canada. These reports also offer recommendations on how people professionals can navigate the challenges they are facing.

By taking the pulse of the profession internationally, and building on our previous reports, these findings – based on data collected in 2023 – allow us to understand regional priorities and the commonalities and contrasts people professionals face across our selected markets. This reflects the CIPD’s ongoing commitment to provide an informed view on how we can collaborate globally, develop professional capital within the industry and build HR functions that are future-fit across different regions and markets.

People Profession 2023: International survey report

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Key international findings

Technology is a critical driver of change in organisations and in people teams

People professionals across all regions, sectors and business sizes are being impacted by advancing technology, and it has been particularly influential in the Asia-Pacific region. Whilst the impact on the profession’s services varies according to the organisation’s digital maturity, this trend highlights an opportunity for the profession to be more involved in digital transformation and support people in other areas of the business.

Flexible, hybrid and new ways of working are here to stay

Hybrid working is the ‘new normal’ and old ways of working simply aren’t an option for businesses to thrive in the future. But the impact of hybrid working on people practices differs greatly across regions. While some have found that hybrid working has made managing performance and recruiting talent easier, others have found it has brought challenges around employee wellbeing and building organisational culture. The onus will be on people professionals to develop flexible working strategies that prioritise the employee experience without compromising business operations and stakeholder demands.

Future specialist skills for people professionals include analytical skills, talent management and navigating business transformation

Being a resilient business partner and having a solid understanding of business finances, operational context and potential risks are essential for people professionals to add value. Offering advisory support and coaching skills to support people managers were identified as critical, while ‘human’ and interpersonal skills in a digital age also remain very relevant.

Key regional findings and recommendations

People Profession 2023: International survey report

Download the report
PDF document 2 MB

Read our region-specific reports

Report

People Profession 2023: UK and Ireland report

Insight into how global issues are impacting people professionals in the UK and Ireland

Report

People Profession 2023: Asia-Pacific report

Insight into how global issues are impacting people professionals in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore

Report

People Profession 2023: Middle East and North Africa report

Insight into how global issues are impacting people professionals in Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Report

People Profession 2023: A Canadian perspective

Insight into how global issues are impacting people professionals in Canada

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