The labor market is constantly evolving, influenced by factors like technological advancements, demographic changes, economic uncertainty, and the green transition. As the world adapts to these changes, some jobs will disappear while new ones emerge, demanding a shift in the skills and expertise required. According to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2025,” global employment trends point to significant transformations by 2030.
Job Displacement and Creation by 2030
By 2030, an estimated 92 million jobs will be displaced, but the good news is that 170 million new roles will be created, reflecting a net increase of 78 million jobs. These shifts are primarily driven by advances in technology, the ongoing green transition, and the need for workers to adapt to new economic realities. As industries transform, certain roles will experience a steep decline, while others will flourish due to rising demands.
Factors Shaping the Future Job Market
- Technological Change: The ongoing growth of automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and machine learning is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace.
- The Green Transition: A push towards sustainable practices and renewable energy sources is driving the demand for green jobs.
- Demographic Changes: Aging populations in many regions are reshaping the workforce, especially in industries like healthcare.
- Economic Uncertainty: Global economic instability is influencing job security and creating new opportunities in fields like data security and risk management.
- Geoeconomic Fragmentation: The shift towards regional supply chains and changes in international trade relations is influencing job trends.
Fastest-Growing Jobs by 2030
The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” highlights the rapid expansion of certain job sectors, driven by technological advancements and evolving demands across industries. Key trends include:
- Big Data Specialists: As businesses generate vast amounts of data, the demand for Big Data specialists is expected to grow by 113% between 2025 and 2030. These professionals will be instrumental in analyzing and interpreting complex data for business decisions.
- FinTech Engineers: Financial technology is revolutionizing the finance sector. FinTech engineers, responsible for building and optimizing tech-driven financial solutions, will see a 93% increase in demand.
- AI and Machine Learning Specialists: As AI and machine learning continue to evolve, there will be an 82% increase in demand for specialists in these fields, tasked with developing smarter, automated systems.
Other technology-driven roles expected to experience significant growth include:
- Software and Applications Developers: A 57% rise in job opportunities due to the ongoing demand for software solutions across industries.
- Security Management Specialists: With increasing cyber threats, this role is projected to grow by 53%.
- Data Warehousing Specialists: Demand for data storage and management expertise will rise by 49%.
- Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists: As the automotive industry transitions to electric and autonomous vehicles, a 48% increase in these specialized roles is anticipated.
- UI/UX Designers: As user experience becomes more critical in the digital age, UI/UX design roles will increase by 48%.
- Internet of Things (IoT) Specialists: With the rise of connected devices, demand for IoT specialists will increase by 42%.
Additionally, light truck or delivery services drivers and data analysts/scientists will also see significant job growth, with an expected increase of 46% and 41%, respectively.
Declining Jobs: Clerical Roles Take a Hit
While some jobs are thriving, others are disappearing due to automation and digital transformation. Clerical positions across various industries are expected to face the largest declines:
- Postal Service Clerks: A 34% decrease in demand as mail services become increasingly automated.
- Bank Tellers: A 31% drop as digital banking and self-service kiosks replace traditional teller roles.
- Data Entry Clerks: As companies move toward digital workflows, these roles are projected to decline by 26%.
- Cashiers and Ticket Clerks: With the rise of self-checkout systems and digital ticketing, 20% of these roles will be displaced by 2030.
- Administrative Assistants and Executive Secretaries: A 20% decrease as automation takes over routine administrative tasks.
Other positions likely to see declines include:
- Printing and Related Trades Workers (-20%)
- Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Clerks (-18%)
- Material-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks (-16%)
- Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors (-14%)
Agriculture: A Growing Sector
Despite the ongoing technological revolution, agriculture remains a vital sector, with 35 million new jobs expected in farming and agricultural-related roles. This sector will see the largest net increase in employment, with a 45% share of total job growth.
Delivery and Food Industry Jobs on the Rise
The delivery industry is experiencing rapid growth. Over the next few years, 9.8 million new jobs will be created for light truck or delivery services drivers, reflecting the rise in e-commerce and home delivery services. Additionally, the food industry will continue to expand, with 4.3 million new jobs in food processing and related trades, and 2.8 million jobs in food and beverage serving.
Healthcare and Personal Care: No Decline, Only Growth
Healthcare roles, particularly those in nursing and personal care, will continue to grow due to aging populations and increased healthcare needs. The report indicates that nursing professionals will see a net increase of 3.1 million jobs, while personal care workers will experience an increase of 1.6 million.
Shifting Retail Roles: Shop Salespersons and Education Professionals
Retail roles such as shop salespersons will also experience growth, with an increase of 4.3 million jobs. However, this growth is offset by a decline of 6.1 million jobs, demonstrating the ongoing transformation of the retail sector.
Additionally, roles in education are expected to see significant increases, with university and higher education teachers (1.9 million) and secondary education teachers (1.6 million) being among the top growing job categories.
Job Losses in Clerical and Graphic Design Roles
Clerical positions, especially cashiers and ticket clerks, will experience the largest job losses by far, with 16.3 million roles expected to be displaced by 2030. Administrative assistants, executive secretaries, and other clerks will also face significant declines.
Skills Transformation: Adapting to New Job Demands
As job roles evolve, so too must workers’ skill sets. The World Economic Forum estimates that 39% of workers’ current skill sets will become obsolete or need to be transformed by 2030. Upskilling and reskilling will be critical for staying relevant in the changing job market. The most in-demand skills will include expertise in AI, data science, cybersecurity, and sustainable business practices.
Conclusion: The Shifting Job Market
The future of work is being shaped by technological innovation, demographic shifts, and global economic trends. While some roles are being displaced, new and exciting opportunities are emerging. By focusing on developing future-proof skills, workers can position themselves for success in an ever-changing landscape. The key is adaptability—embracing change and continuously learning will be essential for thriving in the future job market.