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BUKIT MERTAJAM, JUNE 15 -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has agreed to increase the Community Sports Fund (DSK) allocation for Penang after the state became one of the earliest and fastest to fully utilize the RM800,000 funds channeled this year. Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) will submit an application to obtain the additional allocation. "Penang is among the earliest and fastest to complete the DSK. JBSN will submit an application and I agree for Penang to receive additional funds." "I request youth organisations to use the funds as best as possible, move to the grassroots level and ensure that programmes continue to be implemented," he said when officiating the National Youth Day 2026 celebration at the Penang level on Sunday night. Also present was the state Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen. Mohammed Taufiq said that DSK does not just support sports activities and efforts to produce more athletes, but also serves as a platform to connect young people with the local community. He said that KBS also channeled a Sports Matching Grant for Window 1 and Window 2 totaling RM500,000 as well as assistance to the 2026 Youth Organisation of RM106,000 to Penang. According to him, the allocation is among the government's investments to expand access to community sports activities, empower youth organisations, promote healthy lifestyles and increase young people's participation in youth development and sports programmes. "I want youth organisations in Penang to actively apply for SejaTi MADANI funds after the Prime Minister approved an allocation of RM250 million for the benefit of youth organisations nationwide. "Youth development programs need to be implemented continuously and not just once so that they can have a high impact and direct benefits for the group concerned," he said. -- BERNAMA

KBS agrees to increase allocation for Penang Community Sports Fund

BUKIT MERTAJAM, JUNE 15 — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has agreed to increase the Community Sports Fund (DSK) allocation for Penang after the state became one of .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 -- Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In the latest update today, the national team has collected 1,086.22 points, moving up two places from their previous position of 138th in the world. The rise was driven by results involving other teams, including India and Latvia, as Malaysia did not play during the international window. Thailand remains Southeast Asia’s top-ranked team at 94th, ahead of Vietnam (99), Indonesia (118), the Philippines (135) and Singapore (148). Japan holds its position as Asia’s top-ranked side at 18th in the world, followed by Iran in 20th and South Korea in 25th. -- BERNAMA

Harimau Malaya Up To 136th In FIFA World Rankings After Two-place Rise

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya football team has climbed to 136th place in the latest world rankings issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). In .... read more

ISTANBUL, June 13 -- Mexico claimed an easy 2-0 victory on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament, placing Mexico in an early lead in the 10th minute. Mexico dominated the rest of the half with 10 shots, with two on target, while South Africa struggled to create chances. South African Teboho Mokoena got the first yellow card of the tournament, followed shortly thereafter by Mexican Brian Gutierrez. Shortly after the second half started, South African Yaya Sithole denied Gutierrez a clear goalscoring opportunity and was sent off with the first red card of the tournament, leaving Bafana Bafana with only 10 players on the pitch. Sithole's red card was the first in a World Cup opening match since Bolivian Marco Etcheverry’s against Germany in 1994. Subbing in at minute 66, Gilberto Mora, at age 17 years and 239 days, became the youngest player to represent Mexico in the World Cup. Mexico doubled the lead with veteran striker Raul Jimenez’s header in the 67th minute. South Africa went down to 9 players when Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct in the 85th minute, the first time this had happened since Portugal and the Netherlands both had two players dismissed against each other in the 2006 round of 16. Mexican Cesar Montes got a straight red card for denying South African Khuliso Mudau a goalscoring opportunity dropping Mexico to 10 players. In the end, Mexico rose to the top of the leaderboard of Group A, while South Africa are at the bottom. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Mexico Wins Easily Against South Africa In Opening Match Of 2026 World Cup

ISTANBUL, June 12 — Mexico claimed an easy 2-0 victory on Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Julian Quinones .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 13 -- Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and representative to the President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, for several venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Hamidin said he was entrusted by Infantino to ensure the smooth organisation and conduct of all matches in two cities, namely Los Angeles and San Francisco, in line with his role as a FIFA Council Member.    "I am one of the FIFA Council Members. So, this edition involves 16 distant locations and that is why I was appointed as the head of the delegation and the FIFA President's representative responsible for Los Angeles and San Francisco." "My duties include monitoring the smooth running of the matches at both venues starting from the group stage. After that, until the quarter-finals, I will be based in Los Angeles. I will also be involved until the semi-finals and finals," he said when met recently. The 2026 FIFA World Cup competition opened early this morning with the opening match of Group A between hosts Mexico and South Africa which took place at 3 am Malaysian time. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest edition in its history with the participation of 48 teams. -- BERNAMA

Hamidin given responsibility at the 2026 World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 12 — Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin has been entrusted with the position of head of delegation and .... read more

Muhammad Shah Firdaus wins elite keirin gold, denies Azizulhasni’s formidable challenge

NILAI, Jun 10 — Johor cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom denied a great challenge from track cycling champion Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang to win the men’s elite keirin event at .... read more

LONDON: Serena Williams hit a serve at 193 kilometers per hour and celebrated her comeback to tennis with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 first-round doubles victory with Victoria Mboko after defeating Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe at the HSBC Championships in London, reported PA Media/dpa. Williams, 44, is 25 years older than Mboko, who is 19. The American star has not played competitively for 1,376 days since her last appearance at the 2022 US Open.     She chose Mboko, the recipient of the 2025 WTA Newcomer of the Year award, in part because the Canadian teenager reminded her of herself, Williams explained on Sunday. Her comeback, which she said was sparked by the thought of "why not?", also gave Williams the opportunity to perform in front of Olympia and Adira, her two daughters from her marriage to Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian. Both of his children were present at the Andy Murray Arena, where the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion looked set to bring good luck after rain affected much of Monday's action. The weather did cause a slight delay earlier as British number one Emma Raducanu opened her grass court season with a win over Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova. However, the weather improved when Williams, Mboko and their opponents entered the ring at around 5.45pm and were greeted with thunderous applause from the standing ovation. The cheers echoed again as Williams helped the pair earn two early points to win the first game before breaking their opponent's serve in the next. In windy conditions in west London, she recorded the fastest serve of the opening set at 181 kilometres per hour on her first service game, which the North American pair also won. Williams and Mboko lost serve for the first time in the seventh game of the first set, but a  double backhand  featuring a big smile from the American helped them lead 5-4 before Williams produced the fastest serve of the set -- 193 kilometers per hour -- two games later. The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion and Mboko, who won her first WTA title as a wildcard in Montreal last year, were getting closer as they won the first set in  a tie-break . They led by a set and a  break  after the third game of the second set, which also saw the first video review challenge of the match requested by Melichar-Martinez, but without a final decision. Mboko secured  the pair's second break point  as they edged closer to victory before Williams hit two convincing service aces to secure two winning points. Although Williams said before the match that she was not too focused on the result because she had won many titles throughout her career, she clearly looked happy after securing her first victory since returning to action. -- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa

Back in action, Serena Williams won at Queen’s

LONDON: Serena Williams hit a serve at 193 kilometers per hour and celebrated her comeback to tennis with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 first-round doubles victory with Victoria Mboko after defeating .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 -- The highly anticipated friendly between English Premier League giants Chelsea FC and Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in Johor has been brought forward by two days to Aug 9. Event organiser TEG Sport said in a statement today that the fixture, originally scheduled for Aug 11, had been rescheduled following a mutual agreement between the two clubs. It said the match will still kick off at 8 pm Malaysian time at the 34,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri. "The decision to bring the fixture forward was made by mutual agreement between both clubs. "Both clubs have embraced the revised schedule, recognising that the earlier date provides each side with additional time to prepare for the season ahead," it added. TEG Sport also confirmed that all tickets purchased for the original date will remain valid for the rescheduled match, with ticket holders not required to exchange or update their tickets. The fixture will serve as a crucial pre-season preparation for Chelsea ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign, while offering JDT a monumental test against top-tier European opposition on home soil. Chelsea are the current FIFA Club World Cup holders and the only club to have won every major trophy in the modern era while JDT have established an era of dominance in Malaysian football, winning 12 consecutive Malaysian Super League titles alongside multiple Malaysia Cup and Malaysia FA Cup victories, as well as the AFC Cup on the continental stage. -- BERNAMA

Chelsea-JDT Friendly Brought Forward To Aug 9

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The highly anticipated friendly between English Premier League giants Chelsea FC and Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in Johor has been brought .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 -- With the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals set to kick off on June 11 (3 am June 12 Malaysian time), a heated debate is raging over which team will lift the world’s most prestigious football trophy on July 19. Although reigning champions Argentina are still considered among the title favourites, most football observers and analysts view Spain and France as possessing the most balanced squads and are best equipped to go far at the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Nizam Nazarudin, a senior lecturer in Sports and Recreation at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has Spain as the frontrunner for the coveted title based on current performance, tactical stability and the right balance between youth and experience. He said their triumphs in the 2023 Nations Cup and Euro 2024 proved that the La Roja outfit, under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, possess a well-established playing system and the ability to maintain consistently high performance levels. “Tactically, Spain have one of the best midfield lineups. World-class midfielder Rodri provides stability and composure in the engine room, while Pedri pulls the strings and dictates the tempo of the game. “Their ability to dominate possession, create space and control the tempo of the game make them a tough team to beat in high-intensity tournaments,” the former Head of Sports Science and Performance Analyst of Sabah FC from 2021 to 2023 to Bernama. He said Spain, who lifted the World Cup in 2010, are further strengthened by a group of young players who are reaching their peak development, such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. Mohamad Nizam said that this, coupled with the team’s squad depth and tactical stability, makes Spain the most balanced outfit heading into the 23rd edition of the World Cup Finals. Experienced local coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim, meanwhile, has named France and Argentina as his favourites for the title, based on the teams’ ability to adapt to the demands of modern football. He said for teams to succeed in major tournaments these days, a lot depends of their ability to apply high pressing, quick transitions from defence to attack and field players capable of making the right decisions in high-intensity situations. “Looking at the modern style of football, I’m plumping for France and Argentina because they play with high intensity, transition very quickly from defence to attack and possess fast and intelligent players. “For major tournaments like the World Cup, these aspects are extremely crucial because every game requires the team to adapt quickly,” said the Kelantan Red Warrior head coach. Local sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli concurs. And he too has made France as his top pick to emerge triumphant for the third time after lifting the trophy in 1998 and 2018. According to Pekan, the greatest strength of the Les Blues, under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, lies in quality available throughout the squad - from the starting XI to those on the bench. “France are still my top pick because, for me, they are among the most valuable teams in the world right now. If we look at the full squad, they have world-class players in every position. “Their forward line, meanwhile, is led by the outstanding Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, who are capable of turning a game on its head at any time,” said Pekan, who admitted that squad depth is often the factor that separates teams that are just competing and teams that are capable of winning the World Cup. Pekan has also trumpeted Japan’s chances of creating an upset and becoming the tournament’s dark horses this time. He said the Blue Samurai squad are filled with players plying their trades in Europe’s top leagues and have delivered consistent performances in recent years. “If we look at their international friendly results and performances over the past few years, Japan have defeated several higher-ranked teams. They also rarely lose and have many players who are playing in Europe. “I believe Japan can go far this time based on their previous achievements. The other big teams had better be wary of this dark horse,” he added. The 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature 48 teams, making it the largest-ever tournament organised in the history of world football since the inaugural edition in Uruguay in 1930. -- BERNAMA

World Cup 2026: Spain, France Title Favourites, Japan The Dark Horses – Analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — With the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals set to kick off on June 11 (3 am June 12 Malaysian time), a heated debate is raging .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 6 -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil congratulated the national men's doubles pair of Nur Izzuddin Ramsani and Goh Sze Fei for winning the championship title at the Indonesia Open Badminton Championship at Istora Senayan, Jakarta yesterday. He said the success ended Malaysia's 18-year wait to lift the Indonesian Open men's doubles title. "Thank you for the extraordinary fighting spirit that ended Malaysia's 18-year wait to once again lift the Indonesian Open men's doubles title, and make the country proud. "Malaysians are always behind you both," he said in a Facebook post yesterday. The world's eighth ranked pair emerged as the men's doubles champions after defeating Indonesian representatives Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin 13-21, 21-18, 21-10. -- BERNAMA

Izzuddin, Sze Fei’s success makes the nation proud, ends Malaysia’s 18-year wait – YB Fahmi Fadzil

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 6 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil congratulated the national men’s doubles pair of Nur Izzuddin Ramsani and Goh Sze Fei for winning the championship title at .... read more

"Last dance," the Santos forward replied in the comments section, using a phrase often associated with NBA legend Michael Jordan's final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98. Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, has not played for the national team since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October 2023. Since then, he has dealt with a series of injuries, the latest of which is a calf muscle injury that is likely to see him miss Brazil's opening match against Morocco on June 13. -- NAMED-XINHUA

The 2026 World Cup may be Neymar’s last

NEW JERSEY: Brazilian forward Neymar has hinted that the FIFA World Cup tournament that begins on Thursday may be his last appearance on the world’s biggest stage, Xinhua reported. The .... read more

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SEPANG: The operation of Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) which connects Shah Alam, Selangor with surrounding areas is expected to begin at the end of this month, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the start date of operations would be announced in two weeks and the project was currently in the final phase of trial operations. "After various tests have been carried out and trial operations have been finalised, we are confident that operations (LRT3) can commence," he told reporters after chairing the 62nd Annual General Meeting of the Road Safety Council here today. Meanwhile, Loke said the Bill (RUU) establishing the Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB) will not be tabled in the Parliament session which begins next week. "MTSB has received Cabinet approval, but we are now discussing with the Public Service Department to look at staffing and so on." "This bill will be brought to the next sitting because at this sitting, there is one bill, namely the amendment to the Road Transport Act, which we are giving priority," he said. Loke said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has also identified individuals to be appointed to the MTSB, which will be finalized in the near future. In another development, Loke said the MOT would hold discussions with e-hailing operators on the possibility of implementing additional safety measures to protect the safety of their drivers. Among the suggestions raised is the installation of dashboard cameras ( dashcams ) in e-hailing vehicles, but this needs to take into account passenger privacy concerns. "In terms of safety measures, we will discuss further with the operator to see what other actions they can take to protect drivers." "In terms of safety, drivers and passengers are equally important. So we have to ensure a balance between the two," he said. -- BERNAMA

LRT3 expected to start operating by the end of June – Loke

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 15 -- About 7,000 to 8,000 Rohingya were sent to third countries each year through intergovernmental cooperation, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail. However, he said the process has now stalled due to various constraints faced by the countries involved. He said the Rohingya ethnic issue was an international issue stemming from the political and security situation in Myanmar, causing Malaysia to accept their presence on humanitarian grounds. "Malaysia has government-to-government (G2G) cooperation with several countries that allows Rohingya refugees to be temporarily housed before being sent to third countries that need their labor or professional services. "Recently, the process of resettling Rohingyas to third countries has faced several constraints, causing their movement to the country to be halted, thus raising various issues that require the attention of all parties," he told reporters after the launch of the Fight Against Scam: Two Teams, One Goal, here, today. Mohd Khalid said that apart from that, Malaysia also took into account the humanitarian aspect in dealing with the issue, in addition to ensuring that national security continues to be maintained. "Everyone who comes to this country must follow the laws and regulations that have been set. These people are subject to our laws. If they commit an offence, we will take action just like we do against anyone else who comes to our country," he said. He said about 215,000 Rohingya are registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) while local authorities also have their records in collaboration with the Immigration Department to facilitate monitoring. "We know where they are and what their jobs are. So if any crime occurs involving them, it will be easy for us to take action when we know their location and so on," he said. Commenting on crime trends involving the community, Mohd Khalid said the involvement of the Rohingya ethnic group in crime was low, with 89 individuals recorded as being involved in criminal cases for the period 2024 to this year, which is 0.02 percent of the overall crime statistics in the country. In this regard, he reminded the public not to make statements that could affect public safety and order, while stressing that enforcement action would be taken against any individual who violates the law regardless of nationality. The media last Saturday reported that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the rate of resettlement to third countries by the UNHCR was too low for refugees, including the Rohingya, which was one of the reasons why the group remained in the midst of local communities for a long time. Meanwhile, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the state recorded 192 cases involving 300 arrests of Rohingya between 2025 and May 2026 involving violent and property crimes. He said the police always take consistent and continuous enforcement action and are not based on current sentiment. "The police always work closely with strategic agency partners, for example the Immigration Department and Local Authorities (PBT), we work together to exchange information and carry out integrated operations," he said at a press conference by the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department, here, today. Shazeli said last year six integrated operations were carried out throughout the state of Selangor to address the issue. Commenting on the issue of demolition of illegal settlements, he said discussions on the matter were being held with the local authorities involved so that further, more constructive action could be taken in line with legal provisions. – BERNAMA

Deportation of thousands of Rohingya to third countries every year has stopped – IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Communications Minister and Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has welcomed the successful launch of the Dengue-Free Community (KomBeD) Programme and Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening community involvement in dengue prevention and control efforts. The programme, organised by the Lembah Pantai Health Office in collaboration with the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, was held on Sunday (June 14) and brought together government agencies, strategic partners and local residents in a united effort to combat the spread of dengue fever. The event also featured the National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS) Roadshow for Lembah Pantai, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle practices and enhancing public awareness of health-related issues within the community. Fahmi said the initiative reflects the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment, while encouraging greater public participation in efforts to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds. "Community engagement remains a key component in the fight against dengue. Through programmes such as KomBeD and the Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong, residents are empowered to take proactive measures in protecting their neighbourhoods and families from dengue outbreaks," he said. He expressed hope that the programme would serve as a catalyst for building a more aware, proactive and committed community capable of sustaining a cleaner, healthier and dengue-free environment. Fahmi also extended his appreciation to all participating agencies, strategic partners and members of the local community for their cooperation and dedication in ensuring the success of the programme. "The commitment shown by all stakeholders demonstrates that effective public health initiatives require strong collaboration between the government, community leaders and residents. Together, we can create healthier communities and reduce the threat posed by dengue," he added. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB FAHMI FADZIL

Datuk Fahmi Commends Community Participation in Dengue-Free Community Launch and Mega Anti-Aedes Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today described the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project as a historic milestone that reflects the MADANI Government's commitment to justice, dignity and the welfare of the people. Speaking at the ceremony, Anwar said the project marks the end of a 44-year struggle for residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, who have lived in temporary settlements under challenging conditions while awaiting a permanent housing solution. "This is a meaningful and joyous moment, not only for the residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, but also proof that an administration guided by MADANI values will always place justice, courtesy and the dignity of the people at the forefront," he said. The Prime Minister noted that the project represents a concrete step towards resolving a long-standing issue that has affected generations of residents and demonstrates the government's determination to ensure citizens receive their rightful access to proper housing. He said the process of addressing the matter required careful consideration and collaboration among various stakeholders to identify the best possible solution while safeguarding the interests of the affected community. Anwar also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in making the project a reality, stressing that the experience underscored the importance of respecting legislative processes and upholding the role of national institutions. "The rights and welfare of those in need must continue to be protected, with justice enjoyed by all citizens regardless of race, religion or background," he said. He added that the government's efforts to uplift the urban poor would remain a priority, in line with its commitment to ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the nation's development agenda. According to Anwar, development must be inclusive and benefit all levels of society, as true national progress can only be achieved when every citizen is able to participate in and benefit from economic and social advancement. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also announced a RM1 million grant to assist longhouse residents transitioning into their new homes. The allocation will be used to provide residential maintenance subsidies for a period of three years and will be managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). He said the initiative forms part of the MADANI Government's ongoing commitment to preserving the welfare and quality of life of residents after they relocate to their new permanent housing units. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project Ends 44-Year Wait for Longhouse Residents – PM Anwar

LONDON, 15 June  -- AI is rapidly reshaping the skills employers want most from workers – increasing the emphasis on human skills such as judgement, creativity and leadership – as companies most able to use AI continue to expand hiring faster than their peers, according to PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, released today.  The Barometer, which analysed more than one billion job ads across six continents, also finds that AI is driving a 'two-track' global labour market in which 'professionalised' roles – in which AI automates routine tasks so human judgement and expertise are emphasized – are growing faster than roles 'democratised' by AI – in which AI makes the role itself easier for non-experts to perform. 'Professionalised' roles (such as radiologists or recruiters) are seeing twice the growth in available jobs and 42% faster salary growth than those categorised as 'democratised' (such as IT service managers or medical secretaries). At the entry level, AI appears to be increasing demand for more 'senior' skills from junior workers. Based on 2.4 million entry-level jobs analysed in the US, entry-level roles most exposed to AI are now seven times more likely to require traditionally senior-level 'human-intensive' skills like leadership, creativity or face-to-face interactions. Job openings for these 'seniorised' entry-level roles have grown 35% since 2019, while other entry-level roles shrank 10%. Joe Atkinson, Global Chief AI Officer, PwC, said: "Across the global economy, we're beginning to see a new divide emerge between different models for talent and value creation. The companies seeing the greatest returns on AI are using it to amplify human expertise, accelerate innovation and create entirely new sources of value. As a result, they are pulling further ahead on productivity and growth than companies that focus primarily on automation." AI is driving a productivity boom – and "super-star" companies most able to use AI are pulling ahead significantly The report finds widening divergence between companies most and least exposed to AI. Companies operating in the most AI-exposed sectors recorded 34% productivity growth in 2025 relative to 2018, compared to 24% for the companies least able to use AI. Within this group, a pronounced "super-star" effect is emerging. The top 20% of the most AI-exposed companies achieved average labour productivity growth of 163% relative to 2018 – nearly five times higher than the most AI-exposed companies overall. Perhaps most surprisingly, headcount growth at the most AI-exposed companies is outpacing growth at the least AI-exposed companies – 52% relative to 36% in 2025, based on 2018 baseline levels. Average wage premium for AI skills hits 62% as AI job postings eclipse broader labour market growth As companies continue to boost productivity with AI, the average wage premium for workers with AI skills continued to surge higher – hitting 62%, up from 57% last year. The wage premium varies by industry: as high as 118% in some sectors, such as consumer markets, and 16% in government and public sector work. Jobs requiring specific AI skills – such as prompt engineering or machine learning – have also soared, growing roughly eight times (69%) as fast as the overall jobs market, at 9%. The number of AI jobs is almost twice as high as 2024, with growth in AI jobs outpacing all jobs since 2015.  Sectors including technology, media and telecommunications (11%) and professional services (6%) sectors saw the highest share in AI job growth – with health at the lowest end (less than 1%) Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC, said: "The traditional relationship between experience and expertise is changing. AI is removing some of the routine work that once acted as an apprenticeship, while increasing demand for judgement, leadership and adaptability much earlier in careers. Organisations need to rethink how they develop talent if they want people to thrive in this new environment." Notes to Editors About PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer  PwC's 2026 AI Jobs Barometer analysed more than one billion jobs advertisements in 27 countries and territories. The Barometer combines large-scale labour market, company financial and occupational task data to understand how AI is reshaping jobs, skills, wages and productivity across the global economy. Additionally, this year's Barometer includes targeted analysis of entry-level roles, including how the skill requirements of early-career jobs are changing in highly AI-exposed occupations. You can read the full report and learn more about the methodology and key takeaways at www.pwc.com. About PwC  At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We're a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 364,000 people in 136 countries and 137 territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Find out more at www.pwc.com. --  PRNewswire -- Source: PwC

AI reshapes global labour market into two distinct paths, rewarding human skills: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer