The L&D Kaleidoscope 2026 Report brings together insights from 1,300+ HR and L&D professionals across 20+ countries, enriched by 200+ in-depth interviews with decision-makers across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Leadership development remains the #1 HR priority
AI and digital mindset continue to rise as key L&D focus areas
One-day training is still the most preferred learning format
Online learning leads among asynchronous development tools
Organizations are balancing offline and online learning for greater impact
“Leadership development stands out as the most frequently selected priority (39.7%), signaling that many organizations see leadership quality as the single strongest lever to navigate uncertainty while sustaining performance.”
“AI is no longer a future theme. It is the top preferred L&D topic and a top HR strategic priority.”
“The result is a rich and honest picture of today’s L&D reality. It reflects priorities, pressures, doubts, and ambitions.”
“The strongest message is stability: organizations are consistently using a near-balanced mix of offline and online learning.”
“The key implication is not choosing the ‘best tool,’ but designing a learning journey with well-fit tools."
