World Economic Forum: 78M net new jobs to be created worldwide by 2030

The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that 78 million net new jobs will be created worldwide by 2030 as trends across the globe change in technology, economics, green energy transition, demographics, and more.

Technological developments, geopolitical and economic tensions, and other pressures in the world are driving the forces to shape sectors and jobs worldwide, according to the WEF’s Future of Jobs 2025 report released on Tuesday.

The developments worldwide are expected to create 170 million new job opportunities while displacing 92 million existing jobs by 2030, hence 78 million net new jobs.

Some of the world’s fastest-growing jobs are in technology-related roles, which include positions in big data and artificial intelligence (AI), while frontline job roles like delivery drivers, construction workers, teachers, nursing professionals are also expected to grow, the report said.

Meanwhile, the fastest declining jobs are in clerical and secretarial positions, such as administrative assistants, executive secretaries, postal service clerks, bank tellers, and data entry clerks, according to the WEF.

The report said the widening “skill gap” is the biggest barrier to business transformation, as 63% of employers reported for the 2025-2030 period, citing data received from over 1,000 companies worldwide.

“Accordingly, 85% of employers surveyed plan to prioritize upskilling their workforce, with 70% of employers expecting to hire staff with new skills, 40% planning to reduce staff as their skills become less relevant, and 50% planning to transition staff from declining to growing roles,” the report said.

Over 120 million workers face layoff risks in the medium term due to the skill gap.

As the demand for tech-related skills in AI, big data, and cybersecurity is expected to increase, human-centered skills like analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, agility, and leadership are also in high demand.

The combination of the fastest-growing skills in AI and big data, networks, cybersecurity, and technological literacy, and human-centered skills are expected to rapidly change the job market by 2030.

The report said that half of the employers surveyed plan to reshape their businesses to target new opportunities in technology, while 77% of employers said they plan to upskill their workers, and 41% of employers look to laying off workers to replace them with AI.

• World Economic Forum (WEF)