Automation set to oversee 34% of tasks by 2025, according to WEF's Job Report of the Future
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its Future of Jobs Report 2025, painting a picture of a profound transformation in the global labor market by 2030. The report, based on insights from over 1,000 global employers representing 14 million workers across 22 industries and 55 economies, projects significant job creation and displacement driven by technology and structural shifts.
Key Findings
The report predicts a net increase of 7% (78 million jobs) globally between 2025 and 2030. This results from the creation of 170 million new jobs and the destruction of 92 million jobs, reflecting broad structural transformation.
Rapid growth is expected in technology sectors, including Big Data, Fintech, AI/machine learning, and software development. Significant growth is also anticipated in the green economy and frontline roles such as farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, sales positions, and care economy roles like nurses, social workers, and teachers.
On the other hand, the largest job losses are projected in clerical and secretarial roles, including cashiers, administrative assistants, postal clerks, bank tellers, and data entry clerks. These declines are primarily due to automation and AI-driven efficiencies.
Skills Instability and Gaps
Around 39% of current workforce skills will become obsolete or transformed by 2030. The fastest-growing skills are in AI and big data analytics, cybersecurity, technological literacy, creative thinking, and lifelong learning. However, 59% of workers will require reskilling or upskilling, yet many may not receive adequate training, posing a major risk to employment security.
AI Impact
AI and automation are expected to replace or transform millions of jobs; estimates suggest AI could displace 85 to 92 million roles by 2030. The impact is uneven across sectors, with manufacturing, administrative, and some creative sectors particularly vulnerable.
Main Conclusions
The report concludes that massive workforce transformation is underway, redefining the nature of work and careers. Despite fears of job losses, net job creation is positive, but it demands significant investment in reskilling, inclusion, and supportive infrastructure. Skills mismatch remains the biggest barrier to business and economic transformation.
Economic productivity gains are hindered by organizational bottlenecks despite automation. Workforce participation challenges persist, especially in low-income countries, with ongoing gender and youth employment gaps. The report underscores the urgent need for policy and corporate focus on continuous learning and adaptability to prepare workers for the future of work.
In essence, the WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights a dual reality: while millions of new roles will be created, millions will be lost or fundamentally redefined, making the future workforce landscape both promising and precarious without robust skilling and inclusion strategies.
[1] World Economic Forum. (2025). Future of Jobs Report 2025. Retrieved from www.weforum.org. [2] [3] [4] For more detailed insights, visit the World Economic Forum's website at www.weforum.org.
- The World Economic Forum (WEF) forecasts a 7% increase in global jobs from 2025 to 2030, with technology sectors like Big Data, AI/machine learning, and software development experiencing growth.
- The green economy, frontline roles, and care economy positions such as nurses, teachers, and delivery drivers are also expected to see significant job creation.
- However, it's crucial to address the anticipated job losses in sectors like clerical and secretarial roles, as they may be subject to automation.
- As much as 39% of current workforce skills will become obsolete or change by 2030, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning, particularly in AI, big data analytics, and technological literacy.
- The report also warns that while renewable energy, healthcare, and other sectors may see job creation, the lack of proper reskilling or upskilling for 59% of workers poses a significant risk to employment security.
