59% of the Global Workforce Requires Upskilling to Remain Employable

As the global labor market transitions into 2025, things are changing. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 showcases some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The Accelerating Role of Technology in Job Transformation

Technological advancement is at the heart of workforce transformation, with innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation profoundly influencing industries.

According to the report, 86% of employers anticipate AI and information processing technologies to drive significant changes to their business by 2030. Generative AI has already seen an 8X increase in investment since 2022, fueling demand for AI skills.

Robotics and automation, while enhancing productivity, are expected to displace a net 5 million jobs globally by 2030. However, AI-driven industries are simultaneously creating roles in areas such as machine learning, big data analysis, and software development.

These jobs rank among the fastest-growing. For some, this means a rough transition without retraining.

The Green Transition and Its Workforce Implications

The shift toward a sustainable future is another transformative force.

Nearly 47% of employers cite reducing carbon emissions as a key driver of organizational change.

This has spurred demand for roles like renewable energy engineers and environmental specialists, which rank among the top 15 fastest-growing jobs globally. From 2022 to 2023, “green skill” acquisition grew by 12%, yet job postings requiring these skills increased by 22% in the same period.

Economic and Demographic Pressures Shaping Employment

Global economic uncertainty adds further complexity to the labor market.

Inflationary continues in 2025, though easing, remain high in many regions, particularly in low-income countries where rising food prices exacerbate household financial burdens.

Employers expect 42% slower growth to significantly impact operations by 2030. Creativity, flexibility, and resilience have emerged as critical skills to navigate these turbulent times.

Aging populations in high-income countries are driving growth in healthcare roles such as nursing, while expanding working-age populations in lower-income nations call for substantial investments in education and workforce training. By 2050, 59% of the global working-age population is expected to reside in lower-income countries, posing both opportunities and challenges for inclusive job creation.

Skills, Upskilling, and Workforce Strategies

The report emphasizes a seismic shift in skill requirements, with 39% of current skill sets projected to be outdated by 2030. Analytical thinking remains the most sought-after skill, valued by 70% of employers, followed closely by adaptability and leadership abilities. Employers are responding to these changes by prioritizing workforce development; 85% of surveyed organizations plan to invest in upskilling initiatives, with a focus on bridging skill gaps to enable smooth transitions into emerging roles.

Yet, the scale of the challenge is immense. If the global workforce were represented by 100 people, 59 would need reskilling by 2030. Alarmingly, 11% of these workers are unlikely to receive the necessary training, placing their employment prospects at risk.

The Outlook: Growth & Transformation

Between 2025 and 2030, structural changes in the labor market are expected to result in the creation of 170 million new jobs, offset by the displacement of 92 million jobs, leading to a net growth of 78 million positions. While technology-related roles and green jobs dominate the growth landscape, clerical and secretarial roles face the steepest declines, driven largely by automation.