What professions will disappear by 2030? World Economic Forum Forecast

By 2030, the global labor market will lose 92 million jobs, according to a January report from the World Economic Forum. However, in parallel, 170 million new vacancies are expected to be created, resulting in an overall increase of 78 million jobs — 7% of global employment.

What professions will be under threat?
By the end of the decade, automation will affect a significant number of workers in various fields. In particular, the following items will be reduced::

• every fifth cashier,
• every third postal and bank employee,
• secretaries,
• graphic designers.

At the same time, the demand for data analysis and fintech specialists will double, while the need for UI/UX designers, information security experts, and autonomous transport will increase 1.5 times.

Artificial intelligence and its impact on business
According to the report, 86% of employers believe that artificial intelligence will significantly change their business. An analysis of 2.8 thousand popular skills showed that 28.5% of them can potentially be replaced by neural networks. It is impossible to completely abandon human labor, but efficiency will increase: where previously four employees were required, two will be enough.

By 2030, 39% of employees ' key skills will change. In 2020, the forecasts were even higher — 57%, but companies began to actively retrain employees. However, the skills required for managerial positions-analytical thinking, stress tolerance, adaptability, and the ability to manage a team — will remain relevant.

The rise of automation: Robots are replacing humans
In 2023, the density of industrial robots reached 162 units per 10,000 employees, which is twice as much as seven years ago. Since 2020, their implementation has steadily increased by 5-7% annually. China, Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Germany remain the leaders in the number of robots installed, accounting for 80% of all industrial robots.

58% of employers believe that robots will dramatically change their business in the coming years. As a result of automation, 5 million jobs will be eliminated, but 11 million new ones will be created-primarily in the field of cybersecurity and data analysis.

By 2030, the distribution of tasks between humans and machines will change:

• 34% of the work will be performed by robots,
• 33% will be reserved for people,
• 33% will be solved jointly (in 2025, the share of human tasks was 47%).

The greatest automation is expected in IT and telecom — at the level of 95%. At the same time, healthcare and the public sector will maintain a high level of human-technology interaction.

Different regions — different challenges
Developed countries are implementing generative artificial intelligence faster than low-income countries. It is noteworthy that in the US, the demand for training in AI skills comes mainly from individuals, while in India — from businesses.

While digitalization and AI remain the main drivers of change, demographic and environmental factors are equally important.

• In Asia, technological progress will be a key driver of transformation.
• In Europe and North America — population aging and automation.
• In Africa and Latin America, the main challenge is to create jobs for the rapidly growing number of young professionals.

Thus, the world is preparing for drastic changes in the labor economy, where technology is becoming not just a tool, but a full-fledged participant in the working environment.