A World Economic Forum survey of over 1,000 employers (representing 14 million employees globally) reveals a significant shift in required job skills by 2025-2030. The "Future of Jobs Report" emphasizes the growing importance of tech-related skills, particularly AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy. This reflects the increasing integration of AI into various industries, impacting tasks from legal research to coding.
Cybersecurity is highlighted as a particularly crucial and in-demand skill across diverse sectors, from agriculture to finance. However, the current supply of cybersecurity professionals is not meeting the growing demand.
While tech skills are paramount, the report also emphasizes the importance of "soft skills" like creative thinking and resilience. Conversely, skills like manual dexterity, endurance, precision, and even basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and mathematics) are expected to decline in importance. By 2030, nearly 40% of current employee skills are predicted to become obsolete or significantly altered.
Compared to previous reports, this survey shows a substantial increase in the projected importance of tech skills, with AI seeing a particularly sharp rise in perceived value across various sectors. Despite recent tech industry hiring slowdowns, both tech and non-tech companies are actively seeking AI specialists.
The report forecasts rapid growth in roles like big data specialists and fintech engineers, while clerical and secretarial positions are expected to continue declining. Economists predict a challenging job market in 2025, particularly for white-collar workers, due to slower job growth and longer unemployment durations.