170 million jobs to emerge by 2030, but 92 million at risk, WEF warns

Technological disruption, climate transition, demographic shifts and economic uncertainty are set to transform 22% of today’s global jobs by the end of the decade, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum.

The study titled, ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’, gathering insights from more than 1,000 leading employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies, paints a labour market in rapid transition. 

But behind the headline growth lies a stark warning: the global workforce is entering an era of profound instability, where nearly two-fifths of current skills will become obsolete within five years.

Broadening digital access is projected to be the single most transformative trend shaping business by 2030, with 60% of employers expecting it to fundamentally alter operations.

Even more impactful are advances in artificial intelligence and information processing technologies, cited by 86% of employers as transformational. Robotics and automation (58%), alongside developments in energy generation, storage and distribution (41%), are also reshaping industries at speed.

These technologies are expected to create a paradox: they will fuel the fastest-growing roles while simultaneously accelerating job decline in others. AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy top the list of fastest-growing skills. Meanwhile, companies anticipate a sharp decline in demand for clerical and administrative roles, including cashiers, data entry clerks, postal workers and bank tellers.

The rising cost of living ranks as the second-most transformative global trend, with half of employers expecting it to significantly impact business models. While global inflation is forecast to ease, economic uncertainty remains pervasive.

A projected global slowdown could displace 1.6 million jobs, the report finds, while inflation’s effects on job creation remain mixed. As volatility increases, employers are placing greater emphasis on creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, human capabilities seen as critical buffers against economic shocks.

Climate mitigation and adaptation are rapidly reshaping labour markets. Nearly half of surveyed employers expect climate mitigation efforts to transform their operations, while 41% cite climate adaptation as a major driver of change.

This shift is driving demand for renewable energy engineers, environmental engineers and electric and autonomous vehicle specialists, all among the fastest-growing occupations globally.

Environmental stewardship has entered the report’s top 10 fastest-growing skills for the first time, underscoring how sustainability is moving from corporate responsibility to core business strategy.

The report identifies two contrasting demographic forces reshaping the global workforce: aging populations in higher-income countries and expanding working-age populations in lower-income economies.

In advanced economies, healthcare roles, particularly nursing professionals, are expected to see significant growth. Meanwhile, younger populations in developing markets are driving demand for teachers and education professionals.

These demographic shifts are also increasing demand for skills in talent management, mentoring, motivation and self-awareness.

Geoeconomic fragmentation and rising geopolitical tensions are expected to transform one-third of businesses surveyed. Trade restrictions, industrial policies and shifting supply chains, particularly in economies closely tied to the United States and China, are accelerating both offshoring and reshoring strategies, the report notes.

As a result, demand for security-related roles and cybersecurity skills is rising sharply. At the same time, employers are prioritising leadership and social influence capabilities to navigate increasingly complex global environments.

While technology roles dominate percentage growth rankings, frontline jobs will grow most in absolute numbers. Farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, salespersons and food processing workers are projected to add the highest volume of new positions.

Care economy roles, including nursing professionals, social workers and personal care aides, alongside secondary and tertiary education teachers, are also expected to expand significantly.

Technology-driven roles such as AI and machine learning specialists, fintech engineers, big data specialists and software developers, however, remain the fastest-growing in proportional terms.

Workers can expect 39% of their existing skill sets to be transformed or outdated by 2030. Although this marks an improvement from the 44% reported in 2023 and the pandemic peak of 57% in 2020, the pace of change remains substantial.

Half of workers globally have now undertaken training, reskilling or upskilling initiatives, a rise from 41% two years ago. Analytical thinking continues to be the most sought-after skill, with 70% of employers identifying it as essential. Resilience, flexibility, agility, leadership and social influence follow closely.

However, manual dexterity, endurance and precision are among the skills facing the sharpest decline in demand.

The scale of workforce transformation required is immense. If the global workforce were represented by 100 people, 59 would require training by 2030. Of those, 29 could be upskilled in their current roles, 19 redeployed into new roles within their organisations, and 11 risk being left behind without adequate reskilling.

Skill gaps are now the single biggest barrier to business transformation, cited by 63% of employers. In response, 85% plan to prioritise upskilling initiatives. 70% expect to hire workers with new skills, 50% aim to transition employees into growing roles, and 40% anticipate workforce reductions where skills become obsolete.

Half of employers plan to reorient their business models around AI by 2030. Two-thirds intend to hire talent with specialised AI capabilities, while 40% expect to reduce headcount where automation can replace tasks. 

At the same time, 52% of companies anticipate allocating a greater share of revenue to wages, largely to compete for scarce skills and align compensation with productivity. 

Employee health and well-being has also emerged as a central talent strategy, with nearly two-thirds of employers identifying it as critical for attracting and retaining talent.

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives continue to expand globally, now adopted by 83% of surveyed employers, up sharply from 67% in 2023. 

The report ultimately underscores a defining paradox of the coming decade: while global employment is set to grow, the gap between emerging and obsolete skills could widen dramatically. The future of work, it suggests, will not be defined by job scarcity, but by whether workers and businesses can move fast enough to close the skills divide.