International Labour Organization

Built World

As of May 2026: Primary international body regulating night work standards

For most of human history, nightfall meant the end of productive labor. The industrial revolution and the electric lightbulb reversed that arrangement, turning overnight factory shifts into a pillar of modern manufacturing. But a quieter reversal has been underway for decades. Labor regulations, mounting health evidence, and machines that can run in the dark without human hands are steadily reducing the share of workers toiling at night.

Updated May 30

Rule Changes

As of May 2026: Global authority tracking social protection coverage and setting standards

For the first time in history, more than half the world's population has access to some form of social protection. The figure hit 52.4% in 2024—up from 42.8% when the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. That's 4.7 billion people now covered by pensions, disability benefits, healthcare, or cash transfers that help them survive economic shocks and escape poverty.

Updated May 19