In the past days the World Economic Forum (WEF) released the 2025 Report on the Future of Jobs amidst the fast pace technological advancements that are shaping our world.
Technological advancements, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and the green transition—individually and collectively—are key forces expected to reshape the global labor market by 2030. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 has compiled insights from over 1,000 leading global employers, representing more than 14 million workers across 22 industry sectors and 55 economies worldwide. It explores the impact of these macrotrends on jobs and skills, as well as the workforce transformation strategies employers plan to implement between 2025 and 2030.
The full report can be found on the WEF website. For those who want to have a quick overview of the main concepts, below we show the key aspects emerged by the WEF’s report.
KEY INSIGHTS
Key Drivers Shaping the Labour Market by 2030:
- Technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and the green transition.
Major Trends Impacting Jobs:
- Digital Access: 60% of employers see it as the most transformative trend. Key technologies: AI, robotics, and energy innovations.
- Cost of Living: Second most impactful trend, with inflation and economic slowdown expected to displace 1.6 million jobs globally.
- Climate Change: Mitigation and adaptation trends are driving demand for renewable energy engineers, environmental specialists, and green transition roles.
- Demographic Shifts: Aging populations boost healthcare jobs; expanding working-age populations drive demand for education roles.
- Geoeconomic Fragmentation: Trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions increase demand for cybersecurity, leadership, and resilience skills.
Job Market Projections (2025–2030):
- Net growth of 78 million jobs (14% job creation, 8% job displacement).
- Fastest-growing roles: Technology (AI, Big Data, Software Development), Green Energy (Renewable Engineers, EV Specialists), and Care Economy (Nursing, Social Work).
- Declining roles: Clerical (Cashiers, Data Entry Clerks), Postal Service Clerks, Bank Tellers.
Skills Evolution:
- Growing Skills: Analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, AI, big data, cybersecurity, creativity, and lifelong learning.
- Declining Skills: Manual dexterity, endurance, and precision.
- 59% of the global workforce will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030.
Barriers and Employer Strategies:
- Skill gaps identified as the biggest barrier to transformation (63% of employers).
- 85% of employers plan to prioritize upskilling, with 70% hiring for new skills and 50% transitioning staff to growing roles.
- Health and well-being initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are rising priorities.
AI Impact:
- Half of employers plan to reorient their business for AI, two-thirds will hire for AI-specific skills, and 40% anticipate reducing workforce due to AI automation.
Wage Trends:
- Over half of employers expect to allocate more revenue to wages by 2030, focusing on productivity and talent retention.
