How Workers Use, or Don't their Skills in the Workplace

Drawing on the latest OECD Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), this report provides new evidence of a broken link between skills proficiency and skills use, revealing that many highly skilled workers have limited opportunities to deploy their talents. By linking skills use to wages, productivity, inequality and job satisfaction, the report demonstrates why effective skills use matters for both economic performance and worker well-being. It also takes a unique look at how skills use has evolved over the past decade, identifying where and for whom talent remains underutilised across countries, occupations and demographic groups. This analysis provides valuable insights into the broader social and economic impact of skills mismatches, offering a timely call for policy changes to bridge the gap between skills proficiency and skills use.