World Economic Forum Report: AI Reshaping Job Market with 78 Million Net New Jobs by 2030

39% Core Job Skills to Change by 2030 with AI Taking the Lead, says WEF

Technological skills such as AI expertise, big data analysis, and cybersecurity are surging in importance. The World Economic Forum released the Future of Jobs Report 2025 which offers a glimpse into the evolving job market influenced by technology, green transitions, and societal shifts. Further, AI and machine learning specialists are grabbing headlines. The report states that 39% of core job skills are expected to change by 2030 and the future of work demands agility. Technological skills such as AI expertise, big data analysis, and cybersecurity are considered important. But it's not just tech-related skills, creative thinking, resilience, leadership, and even environmental stewardship are also climbing the skills ladder, stressing the value of a well-rounded, adaptable workforce. The shift is prompting businesses to invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives. Creative thinking has emerged as a top skill set, along with resilience, flexibility, and agility. Employers are also looking for the spark of curiosity and the drive for lifelong learning, making these traits as valuable as any technical proficiency. The report also highlighted a shift toward leadership and human-centric skills, with social influence, talent management, and environmental stewardship joining the ranks of the top 10 skills for the future. Even Naukri.com's December 2024 report stressed the same. At the tech frontier, AI and machine learning roles are expanding, with a 36% growth rate. Sectors like oil and gas, FMCG, and healthcare are also witnessing double-digit growth, signaling a broad-based economic resurgence. "India's job market is entering 2025 with vigour, driven by AI/ML growth and creative sectors. The surge in fresher hiring and evolving C-suite roles signals a transformation into a more dynamic landscape," says Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.

Future Of Jobs Report 2025: 78 Million New Job Opportunities By 2030 But Urgent ...

Fastest growing skills by 2030 will include technological skills alongside human skills, such as cognitive skills and collaboration. Collective action in the public, private and education sectors is urgently needed to address the growing skills gaps. The Future of Jobs Report 2025, published today by the World Economic Forum, reveals that job disruption will equate to 22% of jobs by 2030, with 170 million new roles set to be created and 92 million displaced, resulting in a net increase of 78 million jobs. Technological advancements, demographic shifts, geoeconomic tensions and economic pressures are the key drivers of these changes, reshaping industries and professions worldwide. Drawing on data from over 1,000 companies, the report finds that the skills gap continues to be the most significant barrier to business transformation today, with nearly 40% of skills required on the job set to change and 63% of employers already citing it as the key barrier they 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 critical. A combination of both skill types will be increasingly crucial in a fast-shifting job market. Frontline roles and essential sectors like care and education are set for the highest job growth by 2030, while advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the market - driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while driving a decline for others, such as graphic designers. "Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks," said Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at the World Economic Forum. "The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce." The Job Market in 2030 Frontline roles, including farmworkers, delivery drivers and construction workers, are poised to see the largest job growth in absolute terms by 2030. Significant increases are also projected for care jobs, such as nursing professionals, and education roles, such as secondary school teachers, with demographic trends driving growth in demand across essential sectors. Meanwhile, advances in AI, robotics and energy systems - notably in renewable energy and environmental engineering - are expected to increase demand for specialist roles in these fields. Meanwhile, roles such as cashiers and administrative assistants remain among the fastest declining but are now joined by roles including graphic designers as generative AI rapidly reshapes the labour market. The Skills Gap The skills gap continues to be the most significant obstacle to business transformation in response to global macrotrends, cited by 63% of employers as a main barrier to future-proofing their operations. If the global workforce were represented by a group of 100 people, 59 are projected to require reskilling or upskilling by 2030 - 11 of whom are unlikely to receive it; this translates to over 120 million workers at medium-term risk of redundancy. While technology skills in AI, big data and networks and cybersecurity are expected to see the fastest growth in demand, human skills such as analytical thinking, cognitive skills, resilience, leadership and collaboration will remain critical core skills. A combination of both skillsets will increasingly be required by many growing jobs. AI and Upskilling AI is reshaping business models, with half of employers globally planning to reorient their business to target new opportunities resulting from the technology. The most common workforce response to these changes is expected to be upskilling workers, with 77% of employers planning to do so. However, 41% plan to reduce their workforce as AI automates certain tasks. Almost half of employers expect to transition staff from roles exposed to AI disruption into other parts of their business, an opportunity to alleviate skills shortages while reducing the human cost of technological transformation. Given the rapid growth of emerging technologies, business leaders, policy-makers and workers will need to work together to ensure workforces are ready while reducing risks of unemployment across sectors and geographies. Beyond technology: Economic, demographic and geoeconomic shifts The rising cost of living is another key factor driving labour market change, with half of employers expecting it to transform business models. While global inflation has eased, price pressures and slower economic growth are projected to displace 6 million jobs globally by 2030. These challenges are increasing demand for resilience, agility, flexibility and creative thinking skills. Demographic shifts are reshaping labour markets, with ageing populations predominantly in higher-income countries driving demand for healthcare roles and expanding working-age populations in lower-income regions fuelling growth in education professions. Workforce strategies focused on improving talent management, teaching and mentoring skills are essential to bridging these gaps. Geopolitical tensions are a top concern for 34% of businesses, while trade restrictions and industrial policy shifts transform many more, with some companies planning to adapt through offshoring and reshoring strategies. These pressures are also increasing demand for skills such as cybersecurity. A need for urgent action Addressing the sweeping changes outlined in the report requires urgent and collective action across government, business and education. Key priority areas include bridging skills gaps, investing in reskilling and upskilling initiatives and creating accessible pathways into fast-growing jobs and skills that are seeing fast growth in demand. By prioritizing equitable and inclusive workforce transitions and strategies - and supporting workers through these transformations - stakeholders can build a resilient and adaptable global workforce that is prepared to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow. About the World Economic Forum's Jobs and Reskilling Initiatives The World Economic Forum is actively addressing the challenges raised by the Future of Jobs Report 2025. The Reskilling Revolution aims to equip 1 billion people with better education, skills and economic opportunities by 2030, creating scalable solutions for workforce transformation. Meanwhile, the Jobs Initiative engages government, business and civil society to prepare workers for dynamic job transitions, improve job quality and harness the potential of AI and green technology. About the Future of Jobs Report 2025 The Future of Jobs Report 2025 is the fifth edition of this landmark series, offering comprehensive insights into the trends shaping global employment. Drawing on data from over 1,000 companies in 22 industries and 55 economies, it provides actionable recommendations for businesses, policy-makers and educators to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. The report's findings are enriched by contributions from ADP, Coursera, Indeed and LinkedIn, whose data and analysis provide deeper insights into global job trends and workforce dynamics. The report includes country- and industry-specific deep dives, along with two-page country and industry profiles. About the Annual Meeting 2025 The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme, Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The meeting will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology, focusing on five key areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust.

Future of Jobs: 170 million new jobs to be created by 2030, 92 million to get dated out

Farm workers and drivers will figure among the fastest growing jobs over the next five years, while roles of cashiers and ticket clerks will see the largest decline, a new study showed on Wednesday. In its Future of Jobs Report 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) also said that 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030, while 92 million are projected to be displaced, resulting in 78 million net new jobs. The report, released days before the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos from January 20-25, said that job disruption will equate to 22 per cent of jobs by 2030. Technological advancements, demographic shifts, geoeconomic tensions, and economic pressures are the key drivers of these changes, reshaping industries and professions worldwide. Drawing on data from over 1,000 companies, the study found that the skills gap continues to be the most significant barrier to business transformation today. Nearly 40 per cent of skills required on the job are set to change, and 63 per cent of employers already cite it as the key barrier they 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 critical. Combining both technology and human skill types will be increasingly crucial in a fast-shifting job market. Frontline roles and essential sectors like care and education are set for the highest job growth by 2030, while advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the market -- driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while driving a decline for others, such as graphic designers. Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks, said Till Leopold, Head of Work, Wages and Job Creation at the World Economic Forum. Frontline roles, including farm workers, delivery drivers, and construction workers, are poised to see the largest job growth in absolute terms by 2030. Significant increases are also projected for care jobs, such as nursing professionals, and education roles, such as secondary school teachers, with demographic trends driving growth in demand across essential sectors. Meanwhile, advances in AI, robotics, and energy systems - notably in renewable energy and environmental engineering - are expected to increase demand for specialist roles in these fields. Meanwhile, roles such as cashiers and administrative assistants remain among the fastest declining but are now joined by roles, including graphic designers as generative AI rapidly reshapes the labour market. AI adoption is transforming industries worldwide, with half of the employers planning to leverage it to target new opportunities, 41 per cent planning to reduce their workforce due to automation, and 77 per cent to upskill their workers. The list of five fastest-growing jobs would be topped by farm workers, labourers, and other agricultural workers, followed by light truck or delivery services drivers, software and application developers, building farmers, finishers and related trades workers, and shop salespersons. These would be followed by food processing and related trades workers; car, van, and motorcycle drivers; nursing professionals; food and beverage service workers; general and operations managers; social work and counselling professionals; project managers, university and higher education teachers; secondary education teachers; and personal care aides. On the other hand, the list of five fastest declining jobs is topped by cashiers and ticket clerks, followed by administrative assistants and executive secretaries; building caretakers, cleaners, and housekeepers; material-recording and stock-keeping clerks; and printing and related trades workers. These would be followed by accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll clerks; accountants and auditors; transportation attendants and conductors; security guards; bank tellers and related clerks; data entry clerks; client information and customer service workers; graphic designers; business services and administrative managers; and claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators. The fastest-growing skills by 2030 will include AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, technological literacy, and creative thinking. These would be followed by resilience, flexibility, agility, curiosity and lifelong learning, leadership and social influence, talent management, analytical thinking, and environmental stewardship.

The fastest growing jobs in the AI-powered economy

This report says about 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030 and AI will play a key role. Technology is predicted to be the most divergent driver of labor market change, with broadening digital access expected to create and displace more jobs than any other macro trend, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). About 170 million new jobs (equivalent to 14% of today's employment) will be created this decade, according to the WEF's 'Future of Jobs Report 2025'. At the same time, 92 million roles will be displaced, creating a net employment increase of 78 million jobs. Also: 15 ways AI saved me time at work in 2024 - and how I plan to use it in 2025 Not surprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) and information processing technology are expected to create 11 million jobs, while simultaneously displacing 9 million others, more than any other technology trend. Robotics and autonomous systems are expected to be the largest job displacer, with a net decline of five million jobs from 2025 to 2030. However, there is good news about new emerging tech trends like AI. Three of the technology trends -- broadening digital access, advancements in AI and information processing, and robotics and autonomous systems technologies -- also feature prominently as drivers of the fastest-growing jobs. Also: Why ethics is becoming AI's biggest challenge In fact, the expected impact of macro and technology trends on jobs, technology, and AI trends are among the top drivers for the 10 fastest-growing jobs. AI and information processing technologies are among the top three drivers of job growth. The WEF report notes the shifting paradigm in the human-machine future of work. The interplay between humans, machines, and algorithms is redefining job roles across industries. Automation is expected to drive changes in people's ways of working, with the proportional share of tasks performed solely or predominantly by humans expected to decline as technology becomes more versatile. Survey respondents estimate that 47% of work tasks today are performed mainly by humans alone, with 22% performed mainly by technology (machines and algorithms), and 30% completed by a combination of both. By 2030, employers expect these proportions to be nearly evenly split across the three approaches. Also: Generative AI is now a must-have tool for technology professionals Autonomous businesses will be powered by agentic AI, as noted by the latest research by Accenture, featuring Salesforce as a pioneer company in developing the autonomous enterprise, where humans and AI agents co-create value and drive customer success. Growth and decline drivers for jobs are based on several factors. Five factors will drive a net creation of 78 million jobs globally by 2030: technological changes, the green transition, demographic shifts, geoeconomic fragmentation, and economic uncertainty. Among these drivers, technological change is expected to have the biggest impact on jobs by 2030, creating and displacing them. For context, the largest growing category of jobs is farmworkers -- 34 million additional jobs by 2030, adding to the 200 million farmworkers today. Delivery drivers, software developers, building construction workers, and shop salespersons complete the top five fastest-growing jobs. According to WEF, employers expect 39% of key skills required in the job market to change by 2030. This figure represents significant disruption but is down from 44% in 2023. Also: Your AI transformation depends on these 5 business tactics Technological skills are projected to grow in importance more rapidly than any other skill in the next five years. AI and big data are at the top of the list, followed by networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy. Creative thinking and resilience, flexibility, and agility are also rising in importance, along with curiosity and lifelong learning. Other fast-rising skills are leadership and social influence, talent management, analytical thinking, and environmental stewardship. Today's core skills blend cognitive, self-efficacy, and engagement skills. Looking ahead to 2030, technology skills dominate the fastest-growing skills, driven by ongoing digital change. So, how will businesses respond to AI developments? The increased use of emerging technologies is prompting half of businesses to realign their organizations. Accelerated AI innovation is creating a strong demand for skilled talent, with over two-thirds of employers planning to hire for AI-specific roles, even as 40% foresee workforce adjustments in response to the technology's adoption.

Hands-on jobs to grow fastest, because AI can't replace them

World Economic Forum finds huge demand for brainbox skills, news for how it changes your role Think tank and advocacy org the World Economic Forum has predicted strong growth in jobs that AI can't replace, plus big demand for skills to automate those that can. The org (WEF) this week dropped its annual Future of Jobs report [PDF], which is based on a survey of over 1,000 employers who collectively represent 14 million-plus workers across 22 industry clusters and 55 economies. Respondents told the WEF that the three skills most in demand when they hire are AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and overall technological literacy. "Half of employers plan to reorient their business in response to AI, two-thirds plan to hire talent with specific AI skills, while 40 percent anticipate reducing their workforce where AI can automate tasks," the report found. Increasing use of AI is bad news for clerical and secretarial workers, and those other administrative roles that automation can easily replace, as the report found such roles are expected to see the steepest decline in job numbers over the next five years. That's scary, but could be worse. "On average, workers can expect that two-fifths (39 percent) of their existing skill sets will be transformed or become outdated over the 2025-2030 period," the report found. "However, this measure of 'skill instability' has slowed compared to previous editions of the report, from 44 percent in 2023 and a high point of 57 percent in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic." The report also has good news for those in roles that are hard for computers to replace, in the form of a prediction that fastest growth in job volumes will come to frontline roles such as farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, sales people, and food processing workers. Care economy jobs, including nursing professionals, social workers, and personal care aides, are also expected to grow significantly. So will roles in the education industry. But for IT workers, if you're not picking up skills in AI, big data, or software development, you could be left behind. The WEF also forecasts strong job growth for roles in robotics, autonomous systems, and energy generation, with specialists in areas like renewable energy engineering and electric vehicle technologies expected to enjoy greater job security. The report rates the rising cost of living as the second-most transformative trend, suggesting it will cost 1.6 million jobs. But respondents' opinions suggest those jobs will be replaced. "On current trends over the 2025 to 2030 period job creation and destruction due to structural labor-market transformation will amount to 22 percent of today's total jobs. This is expected to entail the creation of new jobs equivalent to 14 percent of today's total employment, amounting to 170 million jobs," the report found. "However, this growth is expected to be offset by the displacement of the equivalent of eight percent (or 92 million) of current jobs, resulting in net growth of seven percent of total employment, or 78 million jobs." Trade issues are also on employers' minds, with over a fifth of those surveyed saying increased restrictions on trade and investment will also shape their operations. The report also references the WEF's September 2024 Chief Economists Outlook, in which practitioners of the dismal science predicted short-term stability for the world economy, but a worsening trend in the longer term - particularly for developing economies. ®