DEMOGRAPHY, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE FUTURE OF WORK

CHARTING AN INCLUSIVE LABOUR AGENDA FOR BRICS+

Resumo

This paper examines the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the BRICS+ labour and human capital landscape. It highlights divergent demographic trends—where countries like China and Russia grapple with ageing populations while India and others possess a surplus of youthful labour—underscoring the urgent need for coordinated policy responses. The analysis explores the role of technological innovation in reshaping labour markets and facilitating global integration, alongside the structural constraints of weak institutions, inadequate infrastructure, and fragmented migration governance. It argues that informal labour markets, limited skill portability, and low labour standards hinder equitable growth across BRICS+. The paper proposes a transformative BRICS+ framework for inclusive labour mobility, human capital development, and cross-border skill recognition, positioning the bloc as a leader in shaping a more equitable global labour order. Through targeted investments, policy harmonisation, and collaborative governance, BRICS+ can harness its demographic and economic potential for sustainable development.

Keywords: BRICS, Human Capital, Labour Mobility, Migration, Structural Transformation