Urgent Action Needed to Address Skills Gaps and Seize 78 Million New Job Opportunities by 2030: WEF Report

Geneva, Switzerland, 8 January: According to the latest report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), significant disruptions in the job market will lead to 22% of jobs being affected by 2030. The report, titled Future of Jobs Report 2025, reveals that while 170 million new jobs will be created, 92 million jobs will be displaced, resulting in a net increase of 78 million job opportunities by 2030.

Drawing on data from over 1000 companies, the WEF report emphasizes that the most pressing challenge businesses face in this transformation is a widening skills gap. Nearly 40% of the skills needed for the evolving workforce will require change, and 63% of employers cite a lack of the right skillset as the primary barrier to progress.

The report also warns that by 2030, 59 out of every 100 workers in the global workforce will need to undergo reskilling or upskilling, with 11 of these workers likely to miss out on necessary training. This leaves more than 120 million workers vulnerable to medium-term job redundancy, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address this skills mismatch.

In terms of job demand, the WEF highlights that technology skills, particularly in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and cybersecurity, will experience rapid growth. At the same time, human-centric skills such as creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility will remain essential. The report stresses that those who can combine both technical and human skills will be increasingly valuable in a fast-changing job market.

One of the key findings from the report is the expected growth in frontline roles in sectors like care and education. Jobs in nursing, secondary school teaching, and agriculture are projected to see the highest increases in demand by 2030. These roles, alongside others in delivery services and construction, will be vital as demographic trends continue to drive demand in these critical sectors.

On the flip side, the report highlights that positions such as cashiers, administrative assistants, and even graphic designers will face significant declines due to the disruptive impact of generative AI. As automation increasingly takes over certain tasks, the WEF warns that sectors involving routine tasks will be hit hardest.

While the rise of AI and technological advancements in fields like renewable energy are creating new job opportunities, they are also pushing businesses to reorient their operations. The report notes that half of employers globally are looking to shift their business models to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Notably, 77% of employers plan to upskill their workers, but 41% also foresee a reduction in workforce size due to automation.

To tackle these challenges, the WEF calls for urgent collective action from governments, businesses, and educational institutions to address the widening skills gap. The focus should be on investing in reskilling and upskilling initiatives to help workers transition into the fast-growing jobs of the future.

Looking ahead, the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, scheduled for 20-24 January in Davos-Klosters, will convene global leaders under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” The event will explore strategies to bridge the skills gap and ensure a resilient and inclusive global workforce.

The WEF’s report serves as a wake-up call for the urgent need to build a workforce that is prepared for the future, ensuring that both businesses and workers can thrive in an ever-evolving labor market.