The World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) ’Future of Jobs Report 2025’ reveals that 22% of jobs globally will face disruption by 2030, with 170-million new roles set to be created and 92-million displaced, resulting in a net gain of 78-million jobs.

Key drivers of the disruption include technological advancements, demographic shifts, geoeconomic tensions and economic pressures, reshaping industries and professions worldwide.

Drawing on data from more than 1 000 companies, the report finds that the persistent skills gap continues to be the most significant barrier to business transformation.

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 is expected to be increasingly crucial in a fast-shifting job market.

“Trends such as generative AI and rapid technological shifts are upending industries and labour markets, creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound risks. The time is now for businesses and governments to work together, invest in skills and build an equitable and resilient global workforce,” says WEF work, wages and job creation head Till Leopold.

Frontline roles, including farmworkers, delivery drivers and construction workers, are poised to see the largest job growth in absolute terms by 2030. Care jobs, such as nursing professionals, and education roles, such as secondary school teachers, will also see significant growth, driven by demographic trends.

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.

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 report shows.

The skills gap remains a formidable obstacle to business transformation, with 63% of employers citing it as the main barrier to future-proofing their operations.

According to the report, nearly 60% of the global workforce will require reskilling or upskilling by 2030. If the global workforce were represented by a group of 100 people, 59 are projected to require reskilling or upskilling by the end of the decade – 11 of whom are unlikely to receive it; this translates to over 120-million workers at medium-term risk of redundancy.

RESHAPING WORKFORCE STRATEGIES

AI is reshaping business models worldwide, with half of employers pivoting their business to capitalise on 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.

The WEF states that the rapid growth of emerging technologies demands collaboration among business leaders, policymakers and workers to ensure workforces are ready while reducing risks of unemployment across sectors and geographies.

Economic pressures, including the rising cost of living and slower economic growth, are projected to displace six-million jobs globally by 2030. These challenges are driving demand for resilience, agility, flexibility and creative thinking skills.

Meanwhile, demographic shifts are also 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 highlighted as essential to bridging these gaps.

Geopolitical tension, trade restrictions and industrial policy shifts are transforming industries, with some companies adapting through offshoring and reshoring strategies. These trends are also increasing demand for skills such as cybersecurity.

Addressing the changes outlined in the report requires urgent and collective action across government, business and education. The WEF lists key priority areas as 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.