Future of Work: Jobs at Risk & In-Demand Skills by 2030

By 2030, the global labor market is expected to undergo massive changes: 92 million jobs will vanish, while 170 million new positions will be created, leading to an increase of 78 million positions, or 7% of current employment. This forecast is presented in the January report of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Which professions will be at risk, and which skills will be the key to future success? Let's analyze the trends and prepare for the changes.

Professions on the Verge of Disappearance: Who Will Be Replaced by Machines?

Automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics are rapidly transforming the labor market. By 2030, some professions may virtually disappear. Here is a list of those that will be subject to "reductions":

1. Cashiers Every fifth cashier is at risk of losing their job due to the rise of self-service checkouts and online commerce.
2. Postal and Banking Workers Every third employee in these fields could be replaced by automated delivery systems, drones, and digital services.
3. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Voice assistants, chatbots, and document automation are displacing traditional office roles.
4. Graphic Designers Generative AI is already creating visual content, reducing demand for entry-level professionals.
5. Factory Workers Robots on production lines are replacing humans in assembly and quality control tasks.

According to the WEF, by 2030, machines will perform 34% of tasks, and 28.5% of the 2800 in-demand skills will be at risk of being replaced by neural networks. This means that routine work is becoming a thing of the past, giving way to technology.

The Rise of Robots: Should We Fear Automation?

In 2023, the density of robots reached 162 units per 10,000 employees — twice as many as in 2016. Their annual implementation growth is 5–7%, and the leaders — China, Japan, the USA, South Korea, and Germany — use 80% of all robots in the world. Although automation will reduce 5 million jobs, it will also create 11 million new ones — in areas such as cybersecurity, data analysis, and software development. This indicates that robots are not so much taking jobs as they are transforming them.

Which Professions Will Be in Demand?

Amid the disappearance of old specialties, new opportunities are emerging. By 2030, demand will increase for:

• Big Data Specialists (+115% growth);
• Fintech Engineers (+85%);
• AI Experts (+70%);
• Software Developers (+55%);
• Information Security Specialists (+45%).

In addition, the green economy is stimulating the growth of professions related to renewable energy and autonomous transportation. For example, farmers and agricultural workers will remain in demand due to greening efforts — with up to 35 million new jobs projected in this sector.

Skills for the Future: What You Need to Master Now

By 2030, 39% of workers' key skills will change. Although this is less than the 57% predicted in 2020, companies are already actively retraining their employees. The most sought-after qualities for leaders and professionals include:

• Analytical thinking;
• Resilience and adaptability;
• Team management skills.

Employers (86% of those surveyed) are confident that AI will radically transform business processes. Where four people were once required, only two will be sufficient — but with new competencies.

Global Trends: Where Technology is Changing the Market the Fastest

Developed countries such as the USA are actively adopting generative AI, focusing on individual education. In India, the emphasis is on the business application of technologies. In Asia, changes are driven by innovation, in Europe and North America — by an aging population, and in Africa and Latin America — by a growing number of young people in need of jobs.

How to Prepare for the Future?

Automation is inevitable, but it opens doors for those who are ready to adapt. Retraining in technology, mastering analytics, and developing soft skills will help keep you in demand. The labor market is changing, and success awaits those who can work in tandem with machines.