The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” from the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that by 2030, 22% of jobs will be lost due to disruptions, which equates to 92 million jobs worldwide. Initially, this sounds like a massive threat to workers. However, the report also suggests that these job losses will be offset by the creation of 170 million new positions, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs.
Despite this positive outlook, the new jobs will be different from those that are lost. The WEF predicts the most significant employment growth in roles such as agricultural workers, delivery drivers, and construction workers. The same is expected for healthcare and education professions, driven by demographic changes.
There will also be a significant increase in jobs related to AI, robotics, and energy systems, particularly in renewable energy and environmental technology. In contrast, jobs like cashiers and administrative assistants are among the fastest disappearing. This trend is now affecting previously secure jobs like graphic designers due to AI advancements.
To fill these new positions, applicants will need to acquire technological skills in AI, big data, and cybersecurity. However, human skills like creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility will remain crucial. The future will favor those who can offer a combination of both types of skills.
The report, based on data from over 1,000 companies, highlights that the skills gap remains the biggest barrier to business transformation. Almost 40% of the skills needed in the workplace will change, with 63% of employers already seeing this as a central challenge.
Trends like generative AI and rapid technological changes are reshaping industries and labor markets, creating unprecedented opportunities and profound risks. It is time for companies and governments to invest in skills development.
The WEF provides a striking calculation to illustrate this challenge. If the global workforce were represented by 100 people, by 2030, 59 would need to be retrained or upskilled. However, 11 of them are unlikely to receive this training, equating to over 120 million workers at risk of unemployment in the medium term.
The increasing use of AI is changing business models. Half of the employers worldwide plan to realign their businesses to fully leverage the new possibilities offered by AI. 77% of employees will rely on training or redeployment to adapt, while 41% of companies plan to reduce their workforce through AI-driven automation.
Technological change is not the only driver of transformation in the corporate world. Rising living costs are another significant factor affecting the labor market. Half of the employers believe this will necessitate changes in business models. Price pressure and slower economic growth are expected to displace 6 million jobs worldwide by 2030.
Demographic changes are also reshaping labor markets. In higher-income countries, the demand for healthcare professions is increasing due to an aging population. In lower-income countries, the demand for education professions is rising due to population growth.
Lastly, 34% of companies are concerned about the perceived worsening geopolitical situation. Potential trade restrictions and industrial policy changes may require significant measures, including offshoring and reshoring strategies. This pressure also increases the demand for skills in areas like cybersecurity.