By The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Future of Jobs Report 2025” forecasts a net increase of 78 million jobs globally by 2030, driven predominantly by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cybersecurity. The report anticipates the creation of 170 million new roles, offset by the displacement of 92 million positions, resulting in this net growth.
The surge in demand for technology-related skills is evident, with AI, big data, and cybersecurity leading the charge. Employers are increasingly seeking talent proficient in these areas to navigate the evolving digital landscape. However, the report also highlights the persistent skills gap as a significant barrier to business transformation. Approximately 40% of skills required on the job are expected to change, with 63% of employers citing this gap as a primary challenge.
To address this, there is an urgent call for collective action among public, private, and educational sectors to invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives. In addition to technological skills, human skills such as creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and collaboration remain critical. A combination of both technological and human skills will be increasingly crucial in a rapidly shifting job market. The report also notes that frontline roles and essential sectors like care and education are set for the highest job growth by 2030. Advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the market, driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while leading to a decline in others, such as graphic designers.
