The global labour market is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by technological advancements, the green transition, demographic shifts, and economic uncertainties. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, these changes will create significant opportunities alongside challenges. Over the next five years, structural labor-market shifts are expected to result in a net growth of 78 million jobs globally, driven by emerging roles in technology, renewable energy, and healthcare. However, this transformation will require an unprecedented focus on reskilling and upskilling to address evolving skill demands and ensure an inclusive and sustainable workforce for the future.
Key Findings
- By 2030, labour-market transformation will lead to 22% structural churn, with 170 million jobs created and 92 million displaced, resulting in net growth of 78 million jobs globally.
- Frontline roles (e.g., farmworkers, delivery drivers) and technology roles (e.g., AI specialists, software developers) will see the most growth, while clerical and secretarial jobs will decline.
- On average, 39% of existing skills will become outdated by 2030.
Drivers of Labour-Market Transformation
- Technological Change Broadening digital access: Transformational for 60% of employers. AI and information processing technologies: Transform 86% of businesses by 2030. Robotics and autonomous systems: Impact 58% of businesses.
- Green Transition Efforts to reduce carbon emissions: Transform 47% of businesses. Climate adaptation investments: Impact 41% of businesses.
- Economic Uncertainty Rising cost of living: Transformational for 50% of businesses. Slower economic growth: Affects 42% of businesses.
- Geoeconomic Fragmentation Impacting 34% of organizations due to trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions.
- Demographic Shifts Aging populations: Driving transformation in 40% of organizations. Growing working-age populations: Impact 25% of organizations.
Jobs Outlook (2025-2030)
Fastest Growing Roles
- Technology-focused roles: Big Data Specialists, AI/Machine Learning Specialists, Software Developers.
- Green jobs: Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Engineers, Autonomous Vehicle Specialists.
- Healthcare and care economy: Nursing Professionals, Personal Care Aides.
Fastest Declining Roles
- Clerical roles: Data Entry Clerks, Cashiers, Administrative Assistants.
- Knowledge-based roles impacted by AI: Legal Secretaries, Graphic Designers.
Skills Outlook
- In-demand skills: Analytical thinking (essential for 70% of employers).AI and big data skills. Resilience, flexibility, agility, and leadership.
- Skills becoming outdated: Manual dexterity, endurance, and precision.
Workforce Strategies
- Upskilling and Reskilling:85% of employers plan to upskill their workforce.50% will transition staff from declining to growing roles.
- Employee well-being: Identified by 64% of employers as key to talent attraction.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Adoption increased from 67% in 2023 to 83% in 2025.
Technological Impact
- By 2030, tasks performed by: Humans alone: Decline from 47% to 33%.Technology alone: Increase significantly.
Green Transition
- Green skills gap: Job postings requiring green skills grew by 22%, but demand outpaces supply.
- Key green sectors: Automotive, aerospace, mining, and metals.
Economic and Regional Insights
- Inflation: Eases globally to 3.5% by 2025, but living costs remain high.
- Youth unemployment: Elevated at 13% globally.
- Regional focus: High growth in jobs and populations in Sub-Saharan Africa and India.
Summary
The future of work is not only about adapting to disruption but also about harnessing it to create more inclusive, equitable, and fulfilling opportunities for all. Together, we have the chance to build a workforce that is resilient, skilled, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow with optimism and purpose.
Somebody told me, perhaps 30 years ago, that 25% of your knowledge in IT is lost every year (essentially that you need to learn new stuff every year as tech changes so quickly). I've always taken that number to heart and attempted to keep up with the latest trends. It's an incredibly hard thing to do.