About 170 million new jobs will be created this decade, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025.
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving global labor market, highlighting the key trends and transformations expected to shape employment over the next five years.
This report, based on insights from over 1,000 leading global employers representing more than 14 million workers across 22 industry clusters and 55 economies, offers a detailed look at how technological advancements, economic shifts, demographic changes, and the green transition will impact jobs and skills.
Five key labour-market drivers – Future of Jobs Report 2025
Technological Advancements
One of the most significant drivers of change identified in the report is technological advancement. The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation is expected to have a profound impact on the labor market. According to the report, 86% of employers anticipate that advancements in AI and information processing will transform their businesses by 2030.
This transformation is expected to create a high demand for technology-related skills, including AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy. These skills are projected to be among the fastest-growing in the coming years.
Robotics and automation are also expected to play a crucial role, with 58% of employers predicting these technologies will significantly impact their operations. The integration of these technologies is likely to lead to the creation of new job roles while simultaneously rendering some existing roles obsolete. For instance, jobs related to manual and routine tasks may decline, while roles requiring advanced technical skills and creativity will see growth.
Economic Shifts
Economic conditions are another major factor influencing the future of jobs. The report highlights the increasing cost of living as the second most transformative trend, with half of the employers surveyed expecting it to impact their businesses by 2030. Despite an anticipated reduction in global inflation, the rising cost of living is expected to drive demand for skills related to creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility.
General economic slowdown is also a concern, with 42% of businesses expecting it to transform their operations. This slowdown is predicted to displace approximately 1.6 million jobs globally by 2030. However, it is also expected to create opportunities for new roles that require innovative problem-solving and adaptability.
Demographic Changes
Fastest growing and declining jobs by 2030 – Future of Jobs Report 2025
Demographic shifts are reshaping the global labor market in significant ways. The report identifies two key demographic trends: aging and declining working-age populations in higher-income economies, and expanding working-age populations in lower-income economies. These shifts are expected to create a diverse range of job opportunities and challenges.
In higher-income economies, the aging population will drive demand for healthcare and social services, leading to growth in roles such as nursing professionals, social workers, and counseling professionals.
Conversely, in lower-income economies, the expanding working-age population will necessitate the creation of jobs in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services to accommodate the growing workforce.
Green Transition
The green transition, driven by efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, is another critical trend highlighted in the report.
Climate-change mitigation is identified as the third most transformative trend, with 47% of employers expecting it to impact their businesses in the next five years. This trend is driving demand for roles such as renewable energy engineers, environmental engineers, and electric and autonomous vehicle specialists.
Climate-change adaptation is also expected to play a significant role, with 41% of employers anticipating its impact. This focus on environmental stewardship is reflected in the growing demand for skills related to sustainability and green technologies.
As businesses strive to reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to new environmental regulations, roles in these areas are expected to see substantial growth.
Job Creation and Displacement
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects that approximately 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030, driven by technological, economic, demographic, and green transition trends. However, these same trends are also expected to displace around 92 million roles, resulting in a net employment increase of 78 million jobs. This dynamic underscores the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling to ensure that workers can adapt to the changing job landscape.
The report identifies several job roles that are expected to see the highest growth in demand. These include big data specialists, fintech engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, renewable energy engineers, and environmental engineers. On the other hand, roles related to manual and routine tasks, such as data entry clerks and administrative assistants, are expected to decline.
Skills of the Future
As the job market evolves, the skills required by employers are also changing. The report highlights several key skills that are expected to be in high demand in the coming years. These include:
- Technological Literacy: With the increasing integration of technology in various sectors, proficiency in digital tools and platforms is becoming essential. Skills related to AI, big data, and cybersecurity are particularly valuable.
- Creative Thinking: As automation takes over routine tasks, the ability to think creatively and solve complex problems will be highly sought after. Employers are looking for individuals who can bring innovative ideas and solutions to the table.
- Resilience and Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and recover from setbacks is crucial in a rapidly evolving job market. Employers value workers who can demonstrate resilience and flexibility in the face of challenges.
- Environmental Stewardship: As businesses focus on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact, skills related to green technologies and environmental management are becoming increasingly important.
- Interpersonal Skills: Despite the rise of technology, human interaction remains a critical component of many job roles. Strong communication, teamwork, and leadership skills are essential for success in the modern workplace.
Conclusion
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum provides valuable insights into the trends and transformations shaping the global labor market. Technological advancements, economic shifts, demographic changes, and the green transition are all driving significant changes in the types of jobs available and the skills required to succeed in them. As the job market continues to evolve, continuous learning and adaptability will be key to navigating the future of work.
By understanding these trends and proactively developing the necessary skills, workers can position themselves for success in the dynamic job landscape of the future. Employers, too, must invest in workforce transformation strategies to ensure they can attract and retain the talent needed to thrive in this rapidly changing environment.
