The Future of Jobs Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum, outlines the jobs that will dominate the workforce in the coming years and the skills necessary to obtain them. This report aims to address the challenges facing the job market and the future of work and outlines the steps being taken to navigate this evolving landscape.
The World Economic Forum has been proactive in addressing the changes in the job market and the skills required for future employment. The annual World Economic Forum meeting, held throughout the year, serves as a platform for discussion and collaboration on these issues. The Forum anticipates the creation of over 170 million new jobs in the coming decade, as outlined in the Future of Jobs Report 2025. This report examines global macro trends shaping the labor market and provides insights into the trajectory of employment in the next five years.
The report highlights the transformative impact of technology, the transition to a greener economy, as well as demographic and economic shifts on the global labor market. The emerging jobs identified in the report constitute 14% of total global employment and are projected to displace 92 million positions while creating 78 million new opportunities over the next decade.
To identify the skills needed for these emerging jobs, the World Economic Forum conducted a survey with over a thousand leading employers across diverse industries. The report identifies 22 distinct industrial clusters and highlights the essential skills required for future employment.
According to the report, the demand for jobs driven by technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly increasing. Occupations such as big data analysts, fintech engineers, artificial intelligence specialists, and machine learning experts are expected to witness significant growth in the coming years.
The report also highlights the top fifteen occupations expected to see the highest net rise and reduction based on estimates from surveyed businesses and employment data from the International Labour Organization. Farmers, in particular, are poised to experience robust growth due to green transition trends and the need for sustainable agriculture practices.
Other industries projected to see rapid growth include food processing, construction, retail, and the care sector, reflecting changing demographic trends and evolving consumer demands. The report underscores the importance of possessing specific skills to succeed in these burgeoning industries.
Employers predict that 39% of fundamental skills required in the labor market will undergo significant changes by 2030, with a greater emphasis on technological skills like AI, big data, networks, cybersecurity, and technological literacy. Skills such as creativity, resilience, flexibility, agility, curiosity, and continuous learning are also becoming increasingly crucial in the evolving job market.
To address these changing skill requirements, companies are investing in reskilling and upskilling programs to align their workforce with market demands. The World Economic Forum’s Centre for the New Economy and Society collaborates with businesses, academic institutions, and governments to provide resources through initiatives like the Reskilling Revolution and the Jobs Initiative.
As the future of work undergoes rapid transformation, it is essential to support workers in acquiring the technical and human skills necessary for success. By proactively preparing for the evolving job market, individuals can navigate the complexities of the future economy and thrive in emerging industries.
