Not only artificial intelligence experts but also drivers, educators, farmers and teachers: between now and 2030, 170 million jobs will be created worldwide, of which 92 million roles will be replaced, with a net increase of 78 million new professional figures. But to keep up we need to invest in training and skills development. This is what emerges from the last one Future of Work Report 2025 – published by the World Economic Forum based on data from over 1,000 companies, according to which “technological advances, demographic changes, geoeconomic tensions and economic pressures are the key factors” that will reshape the labor market in the near future. In particular, the most popular professions will be computer scientists, labourers, construction workers, agricultural workers, shopping assistants, nurses, bartenders, university professors and even high school teachers. More generally, advances in AI, robotics and energy systems, particularly renewable energy and environmental engineering, are expected to increase demand for specialist roles in these sectors. The least requested figures, however, will be cashiers, shop assistants, security guards, secretaries, housekeepers, printers, librarians, graphic designers.
The fastest growing skills by 2030 will include technological skills alongside human ones, such as cognitive skills and collaboration
For this reason, “Collective action is urgently needed across the public, private and education sectors to address growing skills shortages“. Key priority areas include overcoming skills gaps, investing in reskilling and upskilling initiatives, and creating accessible pathways to access fast-growing jobs and skills, the demand for which is rapidly increasing. The report also finds that skills shortages continue to be “the most significant barrier to business transformation, with nearly 40% of skills required in the workplace set to change and 63% of employers already citing it as the main obstacle to face”.
Technology skills in AI, big data and cybersecurity are expected to see rapid growth in demand, but human skills, such as creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, will remain key. A combination of both types of skills “will be increasingly crucial in a rapidly evolving job market”. More broadly, frontline roles and essential sectors such as care and education are set to see the greatest job growth by 2030, while advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the market, leading to an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles and a decline for others, such as graphic designers.
“Trends like Generative AI and rapid technological changes are disrupting industries and labor marketscreating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks,” said Till Leopold, head of Labor, Wages and Job Creation at the World Economic Forum. “Now is the time for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce”. 63% of employers believe that skills shortages are the main obstacle to transforming businesses in response to global macro trends. If the global workforce were represented by a group of 100 people, the Report highlights that “59 are expected to require redevelopment or upgrading by 2030 – 11 of which are unlikely to receive it; this translates into over 120 million workers at risk of redundancy in the medium term.”
The WEF notes that “AI is reshaping business models and half of employers globally are planning to reorient their business to seize new opportunities arising from technology.” The most common workforce response to these changes is expected to be to upskill workers, with 77% of employers planning to do so. However, 41% plan to reduce workforce due to automation of some tasks. Nearly half of employers plan to move staff from roles exposed to AI disruptions to other parts of the business, an opportunity to alleviate skills shortages. and at the same time reduce the human cost of technological transformation cost of living is another key driver of labor market change, and half of employers expect it to transform business models. While global inflation has eased, pricing pressures and slowing economic growth will result in the loss of 6 million jobs globally by 2030. These challenges increase the demand for resilience, agility, flexibility and creative thinking.
How the birth crisis affects
Demographic changes, continues the Report, “are redesigning labor markets: the aging of the population, especially in higher-income countries, is driving the demand for roles in the healthcare sector and the expansion of the working-age population in the regions low-income populations fuel growth in education professions. Workforce strategies focused on improving talent management, teaching and mentoring skills are essential to closing these gaps.”
Geopolitical tensions are a major concern for 34% of companies, while trade restrictions and industrial policy changes transform many others, with some companies planning to adapt through offshoring and reshoring strategies. These pressures are also increasing demand for skills such as cybersecurity. Addressing the profound changes outlined in the report requires urgent and collective action from government, business and education. Prioritizing equitable workforce strategies and transitions and inclusive – and by supporting workers in these transformations – stakeholders can build a resilient and adaptable global workforce, ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.”