WEF “Future of Jobs Report 2025”: Automation will handle 34% of tasks and more

Out now is the “Future of Jobs Report 2025” which was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It represents a collaborative effort led by a team of experts from the WEF’s Centre for the New Economy and Society, with contributions from over 1,000 employers worldwide, encompassing 14 million workers across 22 industries and 55 economies.

The research was supplemented with data from partners such as ADP, Coursera, Indeed, and LinkedIn.

We checked the 290-pages report to see what their key-findings were and also what the main conclusions are. And we end with a FAQ on said report which will give you a quick insight.

Key Findings and Drivers of Labor Market Transformation in the Future of Jobs Report 2025

The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” identified five macrotrends that will transform the global labor market through 2030:

  1. Technological Advancements: Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and digital access will drive both job creation and displacement. AI and information processing are expected to transform 86% of businesses surveyed.
  2. Economic Challenges: Rising living costs and economic uncertainty will reshape 42%-50% of surveyed businesses, slowing growth and prompting shifts in workforce demands.
  3. Green Transition: Climate-change adaptation and carbon-reduction strategies are driving demand for green jobs such as renewable energy engineers.
  4. Demographic Shifts: Aging populations in high-income economies and expanding working-age populations in low-income regions influence healthcare, education, and workforce development roles.
  5. Geopolitical and Economic Fragmentation: Trade restrictions and geopolitical conflicts disrupt supply chains and impact business models, creating demand for roles in security and strategy.

Main Conclusions ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025’

The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” provides a forward-looking analysis of how global labor markets will evolve in response to technological advancements, economic shifts, and societal changes. The findings reveal a complex interplay of job creation, displacement, and transformation, driven by innovations, demographic trends, and the green transition. With 22% of jobs expected to undergo structural changes by 2030, the report identifies key areas of growth, challenges posed by skill gaps, and opportunities to harness technology and sustainability for a more resilient workforce.

Below are the main conclusions that predict the labor market’s trajectory toward 2030.

  1. Job Creation vs. Job Displacement:
    • Creation: By 2030, 170 million new jobs are expected in technology-related fields, green transition roles, and care economy jobs.
    • Displacement: 92 million current jobs will become obsolete, mainly in clerical, secretarial, and manual roles.
    • Net Growth: This translates to a 7% global net job increase (78 million jobs).
  2. Skill Transformation:
    • Skill Instability: 39% of current skills will be outdated by 2030.
    • In-demand Skills: Analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, AI, big data, and technological literacy top the list.
    • Upskilling Priorities: 85% of surveyed employers plan to invest in reskilling to adapt to new technologies.
  3. Automation and Augmentation:
    • By 2030, only 33% of tasks will be performed solely by humans, down from 47% today. Automation will handle 34%, while human-machine collaboration will increase to 33%.
    • Roles in fields like healthcare and public administration will see higher augmentation, while automation will dominate manufacturing and IT.
  4. Green Economy and Demographic Shifts:
    • The push for sustainability has increased the demand for renewable energy specialists, environmental engineers, and climate adaptation experts.
    • Education and healthcare jobs will grow in response to aging populations and expanding youth demographics in different regions.
  5. Barriers and Opportunities:
    • Skill gaps are the biggest barrier to workforce transformation, cited by 63% of employers.
    • Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have surged, with 83% of companies implementing such programs in 2025, compared to 67% in 2023.

Education is Key

The role of education is key in all this so the report shows. We found 5 key roles for education in the report.

  1. Demand for Education Professionals:
    • Jobs in education, such as university and higher education teachers and secondary education teachers, are projected to grow significantly by 2030. This is driven by expanding working-age populations in low-income countries and the increasing need to address skill gaps globally.
  2. Reskilling and Upskilling Initiatives:
    • Education is pivotal for workforce transformation, as 85% of employers plan to prioritize upskilling and reskilling their employees. This includes both industry-specific skills (like AI and technological literacy) and broader competencies (such as resilience and creative thinking).
  3. Green Transition and Education:
    • The shift to sustainability shows the importance of specialized education in green skills. As green jobs grow, the report emphasizes the need for educational systems to prepare workers for roles such as renewable energy engineers and climate adaptation experts.
  4. Youth and Inclusive Job Creation:
    • With a growing number of young people entering the labor market in emerging economies, education is critical for equipping them with employable skills. The report points out disparities in educational access and emphasizes the need for investment in inclusive education to bridge the gap.
  5. Digital Transformation in Learning:
    • The report shows the rise of online learning and digital platforms like Coursera, which are instrumental in delivering workplace-specific training and foundational knowledge in emerging fields like generative AI.

Need for Proactive Workforce Strategies + Lifelong learning

The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” shows the urgent need for proactive workforce strategies to address technological, economic, and societal changes. To thrive in an evolving global landscape, employers, governments, and workers must prioritize reskilling, embrace digital tools, and commit to equitable workforce transformation.

Lifelong learning will be essential to keeping pace with rapid transformations. Skills such as curiosity and continuous learning are increasingly valued by employers, underscoring the necessity for workers to embrace ongoing education throughout their careers.

By 2030, over 50% of the global workforce is expected to undergo reskilling or upskilling to meet changing job demands. Employers anticipate substantial opportunities to redeploy employees into emerging roles if they demonstrate adaptability and a commitment to continuous learning.

Public policies that support lifelong learning – through funding and reskilling programs – are recognized as some of the most effective strategies to enhance talent availability and adaptability. These initiatives are particularly vital for sectors experiencing rapid transformation, such as manufacturing and healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Future of Jobs Report 2025

1. What is the “Future of Jobs Report 2025”?

The “Future of Jobs Report 2025”, published by the World Economic Forum, analyzes global labor market trends between 2025 and 2030. It explores how macrotrends like technology, green transitions, economic shifts, and demographic changes will impact jobs, skills, and workforce strategies.

2. Who contributed to the report?

The report is based on insights from over 1,000 global employers, representing 14 million workers across 22 industries and 55 economies. Data partnerships with ADP, Coursera, Indeed, and LinkedIn enriched the findings.

3. What are the key macrotrends shaping the labor market?

The report identifies five major drivers of labor market transformation:

  1. Technological Change: Adoption of AI, robotics, and automation.
  2. Green Transition: Climate-change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
  3. Economic Uncertainty: Rising living costs and slower growth.
  4. Geopolitical Fragmentation: Trade restrictions and conflicts.
  5. Demographic Shifts: Aging populations in high-income economies and expanding working-age populations in low-income regions.

4. What is the projected impact on global employment by 2030?

  • Job Creation: 170 million new jobs, particularly in technology, green transition, and care sectors.
  • Job Displacement: 92 million jobs lost, mainly in clerical and manual roles.
  • Net Growth: A 7% increase in total employment, equating to 78 million new jobs.

5. Which jobs are expected to grow the fastest?

The fastest-growing roles include:

  • Technology-related roles: AI and machine learning specialists, big data specialists, software developers.
  • Green jobs: Renewable energy engineers, environmental engineers.
  • Care economy roles: Nursing professionals, personal care aides.

6. Which jobs are expected to decline?

Clerical and manual roles, such as cashiers, postal service clerks, administrative assistants, and data entry clerks, are projected to decline due to automation and technological advancements.

7. What skills will be most in demand by 2030?

Key skills include:

  • Analytical thinking.
  • Resilience, flexibility, and agility.
  • AI, big data, and cybersecurity expertise.
  • Creativity and lifelong learning.

8. How will lifelong learning play a role in workforce transformation?

Lifelong learning is essential for adapting to rapid labor market changes. Over 50% of workers will need reskilling or upskilling by 2030. Employers increasingly value curiosity and continuous education, and public policies supporting reskilling initiatives are critical for enhancing adaptability.

9. What are the main challenges to workforce transformation?

The report identifies skill gaps as the biggest barrier, with 63% of employers citing it as a key challenge. Other issues include economic uncertainty, labor shortages in specific sectors, and the need for inclusive workforce strategies.

10. How does the green transition influence jobs?

The green transition is driving demand for roles like renewable energy engineers, climate adaptation specialists, and environmental engineers. However, it also highlights the need for green skills training to prepare workers for sustainability-focused industries.

11. How will automation and AI affect work tasks?

By 2030:

  • Tasks performed solely by humans will decrease to 33% (from 47% in 2025).
  • Automation will handle 34% of tasks.
  • Human-machine collaboration will increase to 33%.

12. What workforce strategies are employers adopting?

Employers are prioritizing:

  • Reskilling and upskilling (85% plan to invest in training).
  • Talent redeployment within organizations.
  • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives (83% of companies have adopted these).

13. How are demographic shifts impacting the labor market?

  • Aging populations in high-income economies are increasing demand for healthcare and care economy jobs.
  • Expanding working-age populations in low-income regions are driving growth in education and skills training roles.

14. What public policies are recommended to address labor market challenges?

The report suggests policies to:

  • Fund and provide reskilling and upskilling initiatives.
  • Support diversity and inclusion efforts.
  • Facilitate the green transition through targeted training programs.

15. Where can I access the full report?

The “Future of Jobs Report 2025” is available on the World Economic Forum’s website at: www.weforum.org.