- Expanding digital access is reshaping the world of work, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Work Report 2025.
- The fastest-growing jobs between now and the end of the decade include big data specialists, fintech engineers, and AI and machine learning specialists.
- Other occupations, such as various office jobs and administrative assistants, are also rapidly declining.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Work Report 2025, more employers expect increased digital access to impact their businesses more than any other macro trend.
This increased digital access is a key enabler of new technologies that can transform the labor market. Three technologies in particular are expected to have the biggest impact: robotics and automation, energy generation and storage technologies, and AI and information processing.
These expansions are fueling the rapid growth of certain professions.
fast-growing jobs
This report surveyed more than 1,000 companies around the world, representing 22 industry clusters and more than 14 million workers, to understand job market trends and reveal how organizations expect the job market to evolve between now and 2030.
According to surveyed executives, the three fastest-growing jobs by percentage are big data specialist, fintech engineer, and AI and machine learning specialist. 86% of survey respondents expect AI and information processing technology to transform their business by 2030.
Software and application developers rank fourth on the list, but technology trends and geopolitical factors influence security management specialists to make it into the top five.
The green transition and growing adoption of energy generation and storage technologies have placed self-driving and electric vehicle specialists, environmental and renewable energy engineers, and more among the top 15 fastest-growing professions.
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How the forum can help leaders understand AI and collaborate on responsible innovation
Employment decreases due to changes in the labor market
Expanding digital access is expected to create 19 million jobs and replace 9 million jobs by 2030, according to the report. AI and data processing alone will create 11 million roles and replace 9 million roles.
Meanwhile, robots and automation are projected to eliminate 5 million more jobs than they create.
Companies expect these trends to result in a significant decline in various office jobs such as cashiers and ticket takers, as well as roles such as administrative assistants, printers, accountants and auditors.
According to the report, 39% of the workforce’s core skills are expected to change by 2030, with technical skills expected to grow in importance faster than any other skill over the next five years.
Continuous learning, upskilling and reskilling programs will therefore be a continuing priority for employers between now and the end of the decade.
Read the full report here.
