Insights from HRCI’s largest-ever global survey reveal a profession that is confident and resilient—while navigating varied experiences across roles, rapid change, and rising expectations.
Download the State of HR 2026 Report
For more than 50 years, HRCI has listened with purpose to the human resource profession, shaping standards and guidance informed by real-world practice.
Drawing on perspectives from thousands of HR professionals worldwide, the State of HR 2026 offers a data-backed view of preparedness and pressure across the profession—and what those trends signal for HR’s next chapter.
The findings reveal a profession that is strong, but not static.
Across the field, HR professionals report high levels of preparedness and optimism. Yet those experiences are not universal, and they shift based on role, responsibility, and exposure to change.
As technology and expectations evolve, the question is no longer whether HR is prepared—the question is prepared for what?
The State of HR 2026 brings together perspectives from thousands of HR professionals across roles, experience levels, and regions, revealing key patterns and contrasts shaping the profession.
Inside the report, you’ll find:
The State of HR 2026 is based on survey responses from 4,583 HR professionals worldwide, collected in late 2025. The research reflects a broad range of roles, experience levels, industries, and organizational contexts.
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