The Future of Jobs Report 2025: What Lies Ahead?
The Future of Jobs Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), is one of the most widely followed studies on how jobs, skills, and industries are evolving. It compiles insights from over 1,000 employers across 22 industries and 55 economies to forecast which jobs will grow, which will decline, and what skills will be in demand over the next five years.
This blog is my attempt to decode and simplify the report for readers who may find it dense or overwhelming. While the WEF’s insights are valuable, it’s important to remember that they are based on employer surveys—essentially, predictions from business leaders about what they think will happen. But with AI and technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, even the best forecasts might miss the mark. What seems certain today could change dramatically within a few years.
This report gives us a useful roadmap, but only time will tell how accurate these projections are. With that in mind, let’s break down what the report says and what we should take with a grain of salt.
The Big Picture: A Market in Transition
By 2030, global employment is set to grow by 78 million jobs, with 170 million new roles created and 92 million disappearing. However, not all industries will benefit equally. The technology sector will expand rapidly, with AI, big data, and cybersecurity creating new opportunities as 86% of businesses expect AI-driven transformation. The green economy will also see growth, with demand for renewable energy engineers, environmental scientists, and electric vehicle specialists. However, a significant skills gap remains, as many of these emerging roles require expertise the current workforce lacks.
At the same time, many traditional roles will decline due to automation. Jobs in clerical work, customer service, and manual data processing—such as bank tellers, cashiers, and data entry clerks—are among the fastest-disappearing. Robotics and AI alone could displace 5 million jobs, particularly in repetitive, low-skill tasks. Meanwhile, 42% of businesses expect economic uncertainty to impact hiring, potentially delaying reskilling efforts.
Demographic shifts will further reshape the job market. Ageing populations in high-income countries will drive demand for healthcare workers and educators, while lower-income economies with growing young workforces must create enough skilled jobs to prevent underemployment. The challenge ahead is not just about job creation, but about equipping workers with the skills to transition into the roles of the future.
Technology-driven jobs are booming, with AI, automation, and data science leading the way.
Green jobs are on the rise, as businesses invest in sustainability and climate adaptation.
Demographics are shifting, with high-income countries facing worker shortages while lower-income regions have growing labour forces.
Low-skill, repetitive jobs are at risk, with automation replacing roles like clerks, tellers, and data entry operators.
Reskilling is now essential, with 39% of workers expected to require new skills by 2030.
The future of work will be driven by AI, automation, demographics, and digital expansion. AI-driven jobs will grow, but low-skill roles will decline, while the green economy faces a skills gap. Ageing populations will create healthcare and education shortages, while lower-income regions must generate skilled jobs. While the report identifies digital access—not AI—as the biggest disruptor, broader connectivity will also fuel AI’s evolution, providing more data to refine algorithms and expand automation. With 39% of workers needing reskilling by 2030, the real challenge is helping people transition into future-proof careers.
Winners and Losers: The Jobs of the Future
The job market is polarising, with some careers thriving while others decline rapidly.
Fastest-Growing Jobs (2025-2030)
If you’re in AI, cybersecurity, or green energy, the future looks promising.
AI & Machine Learning Specialists – AI adoption is skyrocketing, and companies need experts to develop and manage these systems.
Big Data Analysts – Data is the new currency, and businesses need skilled professionals to extract insights.
Cybersecurity Experts – With rising cyber threats, demand for security professionals is stronger than ever.
Renewable Energy Engineers – The push towards clean energy is creating jobs in solar, wind, and battery storage.
Healthcare Professionals – An ageing global population is driving demand for nurses, therapists, and care workers.
One surprising trend is the continued growth in frontline roles. Delivery drivers, construction workers, and skilled tradespeople remain in high demand, despite automation in many sectors. This suggests that physical, human-dependent jobs will remain relevant for the foreseeable future.
Fastest-Declining Jobs (2025-2030)
Automation and digitalisation are making certain roles redundant.
Bank Tellers & Clerks – Online banking and fintech platforms are reducing the need for these jobs.
Data Entry Operators – AI can now handle most data-related tasks, eliminating the need for manual entry.
Cashiers & Ticket Clerks – Self-checkout systems and digital payments are replacing human cashiers.
Telemarketers – AI chatbots and automated sales systems are making traditional cold-calling obsolete.
The Skills That Matter Most
With nearly 40% of workers’ core skills expected to change in the next five years, staying relevant in the job market will require continuous learning.
Most In-Demand Skills (2025-2030)
Analytical Thinking – Employers consistently rank this as the most critical skill.
AI & Big Data – The ability to work with AI and interpret data is now essential.
Resilience & Adaptability – Workers must be able to pivot as industries evolve.
Leadership & Social Influence – Managing teams and driving collaboration is key.
Technological Literacy – Understanding and working with emerging tech is a must.
Cybersecurity & Networking – As digital threats increase, so does the demand for security expertise.
Environmental Stewardship – Businesses are prioritising sustainability, and workers with green skills will be in high demand.
Interestingly, manual dexterity, endurance, and precision are declining in importance, reflecting automation’s impact on physical jobs. Environmental skills have entered the top ten for the first time, as climate change reshapes industries.
What the Report Gets Right—And Where It Falls Short
The Future of Jobs Report provides valuable insights, but like all forecasts, it has its limitations.
What It Gets Right
The rise of AI and automation is undeniable, and the demand for tech skills will continue to grow.
Green jobs are expanding, but there’s a significant skills gap in the workforce. Without proper training, companies may struggle to fill these roles.
Demographic shifts are creating labour shortages in high-income countries and surpluses in developing economies.
Where It Falls Short
Pace of Automation – Previous WEF reports predicted job losses due to AI at a much faster rate than we’ve actually seen. Many jobs evolve rather than disappear completely.
Employer Optimism About Reskilling – Companies say they will invest in training, but historically, many businesses cut training budgets when times get tough. Will this reskilling revolution really happen?
Focus on High-Income Countries – While the report covers 55 economies, the insights are largely shaped by trends in North America and Europe. Lower-income economies, where most of the world’s workforce lives, often receive less attention.
Quality of Jobs – While job creation is expected, will these be stable, well-paying roles or gig-based, precarious work? This is a critical question the report does not fully address.
How to Prepare for the Future
For Professionals
Invest in continuous learning – The report highlights that 39% of workers will need reskilling by 2030. Focus on AI, cybersecurity, green technologies, and data analytics, as these are among the fastest-growing fields. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer industry-recognised courses.
Develop adaptability and leadership – The demand for resilience, flexibility, and leadership is rising. Employers prioritise problem-solving and strategic thinking over routine technical skills, as AI takes over repetitive tasks.
Stay ahead of AI’s limitations – AI still struggles with creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making. Careers in education, psychology, healthcare, and creative industries remain future-proof.
For Businesses
Reskill and upskill employees – The report finds that 63% of employers see skills gaps as a major transformation barrier. Companies should offer structured learning programs and promote internal mobility to future-proof their workforce.
Use AI and automation strategically – AI should enhance productivity, not replace human workers. Successful companies integrate AI in a way that frees employees for higher-value tasks, rather than automating entire roles.
Invest in employee well-being – Businesses that support mental health, offer flexible work policies, and create inclusive workplaces have better talent retention. 64% of employers in the report say improving employee well-being will be key to attracting skilled workers.
For Policymakers
Expand digital and technical education – Developing nations have large young workforces but lack access to quality STEM education. Governments must scale up vocational training and digital literacy programs to equip workers for the AI-driven economy.
Ensure job quality and wage security – While automation will create jobs, it could also increase job polarisation—where high-skilled roles grow while low-paid, insecure work expands. Governments must set fair wage policies and worker protections to prevent inequality from widening.
Enable workforce transitions – Public funding for reskilling and career mobility programs will be critical. The report finds that 85% of businesses plan to upskill workers, but many lack structured programs. Governments should incentivise private-sector investment in lifelong learning.
The future of work isn’t just about automation—it’s about adaptation. Those who embrace learning and evolving skill sets will stay ahead, while businesses and policymakers must create systems that support workers through this transformation.
Final Thoughts
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 paints a clear picture of the transformations ahead. While automation and AI will reshape industries, human skills like creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence will remain invaluable.
The future of work is not about competing with AI—it’s about learning how to work alongside it. Adaptability, continuous learning, and strategic career moves will define success in the decade ahead.
Download the Report here: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/
Recommended Books for the Future of Work
The Future of Work: Robots, AI, and Automation – Darrell M. West
Lifelong Learning: How Continuous Education Will Shape the Future – Lynda Gratton
The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity – Amy Webb
Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI – Paul Daugherty & H. James Wilson
Competing in the Age of AI – Marco Iansiti & Karim R. Lakhani
AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order – Kai-Fu Lee
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein
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