Until 170 million new jobs job will be created over the next five years, which is equivalent to 14% of current employment. However, 92 million of these positions will be eliminated, all under the influence of major trends such as technological development, ecological transition and economic changes or geopolitical transformations.
It is the main conclusion of the report “Future of Jobs Report 2025” published by World Economic Forum and based on data from more than 1,000 employer companies representing 14 million workers in 22 sectors and 55 markets. The study includes the main trends that will be observed in the labor market, as well as the most in-demand positions and the skills that will be considered most necessary for the coming years.
Below, we collect the main conclusions and key data:
The trends that transform the labor market
The World Economic Forum report has identified five major trends that will shape the labor market for the remainder of the decade. They are the following:
- Digital access and technological advances
The expansion of digital access It is the most transformative trend, with 60% of companies highlighting it as key to their businesses in 2030. Technologies such as artificial intelligence and information processing (86%); robotics and automation (58%); and energy generation, storage and distribution (41%) will be decisive in the reconfiguration of entire sectors.
- Economic uncertainty
Inflation and the increase in the cost of living are predominant concerns for 50% of employers; and slower growth is expected to displace 1.6 million jobs globally. All of this will lead to greater demand for creative thinking and resilience, flexibility and agility skills, according to the report.
- Ecological transition
The reduction of carbon emissions and the adaptation to climate change They are main drivers of business transformation in the coming years. Nearly half of employers plan to invest in sustainable strategies, driving demand for roles such as renewable energy engineers, environmental engineers and electric and autonomous vehicle specialists.
- Demographic changes
He aging and the decline of working-age populations in high-income economies and the expansion of working-age populations in low-income economies are also transforming global economies and labor markets. This will lead to greater demand for nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as education and talent management.
- Geopolitical tensions
A third of global companies expect geoeconomic fragmentation to impact their business model. Companies consider the increase in
restrictions on trade and investmentas well as subsidies and industrial policies as factors that will shape their operations. This will lead to an increase in jobs related to security, networking skills and cybersecurity.
The most in-demand jobs and those that will disappear
The study suggests that current trends for the period 2025 to 2030 generate a net growth of 7% of total employment, or in other words, 78 million jobs. As can be expected, the demand for positions driven by technological advances as artificial intelligence is increasing rapidly; and that of those profiles linked to tasks susceptible to automation decreases.
- Growing jobs
It is expected that the frontline jobs, as farmers, delivery drivers or construction workers, experience significant growth in absolute volume terms. Along these same lines, profiles linked to the care economy, such as nursing professionals, social workers or personal care assistants.
The positions rrelated to technology They will be the fastest growing in percentage terms, including big data specialists, financial technology engineers, artificial intelligence and machine learning specialists, and software and application developers. They will also increase green and energy transition positions.
- Jobs in decline
Profiles linked to administration and secretariat, as well as cashiers and ticket sellers, will experience the largest decline in absolute numbers. The demand for positions such as janitors and janitors will also decrease, postal service, bank tellers and data entry clerks.
Employers expect 39% of key skills required to change by 2030
The skills of the future
Employers expect 39% of the key skills required in the labor market to change by 2030. The figure, however, is below that of previous editions of the report, such as 44% in 2023 or 57% in 2020 .
- Booming skills
According to the World Economic Forum, the analytical thinking remains the most sought-after soft skill among employers, with 7 in 10 companies considering it essential by 2025. So are resilience, flexibility and agility, and creative thinking, along with leadership and social influence.
On the other hand, artificial intelligence and big data management top the list of fastest-growing skills, followed by networking and cybersecurity.
- Declining skills
The manual dexterity, endurance and precision They lead the list of skills in decline, with notable net declines in their demand for skills. 24% of those surveyed foresee a decrease in its importance,
Strategies for job transformation
The study highlights a gap between existing and emerging skillsand this is considered by companies to be the biggest barrier to business transformation. 85% of employers plan to prioritize upskilling their workforce, and 70% expect to hire staff with new skills. On the other hand, 40% are considering reducing staff as their skills become less relevant.
Regarding strategies for labor transformation, it is worth highlighting the role that the support in health and well-being. 64% of employers consider it a key strategy for attracting talent. The focus will also be on skills retraining initiatives and improving the progression and promotion of talents.
Wellbeing support and salary will be key in attracting and retaining talent
The salary will also be strategic. By 2030, 52% of companies plan to allocate a greater proportion of their revenue to wages, while only 8% expect this proportion to decrease. Wage strategies will seek to align wages with worker productivity and performance and compete to retain talent and skills.
Although some large companies are backing down on their DEI policies, the report points to increased adoption of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 47% of companies say it is a strategy with the potential to expand the availability of talent, and 83% of employers report that they have such an initiative underway, compared to 67% in 2023.
More info.: Future of Jobs Report 2025
