The world of work is undergoing a dramatic shift. By 2030, nearly a quarter of today’s formal jobs are expected to be transformed — either through creation, automation, or displacement. As global megatrends like technological innovation, demographic change, and environmental transition accelerate, businesses and workers alike are preparing for what many call the most significant labor-market transformation of our generation.
A Look at the Numbers: Job Gains vs. Job Losses
According to recent projections, 22% of current formal employment will be affected by structural transformation by 2030. This includes the creation of jobs equal to 14% of today’s employment — roughly 170 million new roles. However, around 92 million jobs — or 8% of current employment — are expected to be lost during the same period.
The result is a net gain of 78 million jobs, or about 7% of the current workforce.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. What’s more important is which jobs are rising and why others are fading away.
The Fastest-Growing Jobs — And What’s Fueling Them
Not surprisingly, technology-related roles are leading the way in terms of growth. Positions like AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Big Data Analysts, Software Developers, and Fintech Engineers are among the fastest-growing jobs globally. Their growth is driven by the rise of AI, broader access to digital infrastructure, and ongoing innovation in robotics and information processing.
Alongside tech, green economy roles are on the rise. With the global push to address climate change, there’s growing demand for Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Scientists, and Electric Vehicle Specialists. The green transition is not just about saving the planet — it’s about building an entirely new labor market.
Some of the biggest growth in absolute numbers is expected in core economy roles like farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, and retail salespeople. Their expansion is being driven by demographic shifts, urban development, increased consumer demand, and rising living costs. For example, the number of farmworker jobs alone is expected to increase by 35 million by 2030.
The care economy is also booming — driven largely by aging populations in many countries. Nursing professionals, personal care aides, and social workers are all expected to see substantial growth as healthcare systems expand and societies prepare to care for their elderly.
Education roles are growing, too, especially in countries with large or growing working-age populations. Teachers — particularly in secondary, tertiary, and vocational education — are expected to be in high demand.
Increased geopolitical tensions are also contributing to job creation in areas like cybersecurity, intelligence, and strategic business planning. As trade becomes more fragmented and national security concerns grow, demand for security analysts, strategic advisors, and business intelligence professionals is rising.
At the same time, rising costs of living and the need for efficiency are also boosting demand for supply chain experts, logistics managers, and AI specialists focused on optimization.
The Roles at Risk: Who’s Losing Out
At the other end of the spectrum, some jobs are expected to shrink significantly — especially those rooted in routine, administrative, or highly automatable tasks. Clerical and secretarial roles top the list of declining occupations. Jobs such as data entry clerks, cashiers, postal clerks, bank tellers, and executive assistants are all projected to disappear at scale. These positions are increasingly being replaced by software, automation, and customer self-service tools. Other declining roles include printing workers, accountants, auditors, and even graphic designers — the latter impacted by generative AI’s ability to create layouts, logos, and visual content in seconds. Legal secretaries are also declining as law firms automate basic document and research tasks. The drivers behind these losses are clear: AI, robotics, and broad digital access are reducing the need for many mid-skill administrative functions. Robotics and autonomous systems alone are projected to cause a net loss of 5 million jobs by 2030. Declining working-age populations in certain countries, combined with slowing economic growth, also contribute to a shrinking demand for roles like general managers, sales professionals, and business services managers — especially in developed economies where leadership roles are becoming leaner and more AI-assisted.
What It All Means
This coming transformation is not just about numbers — it’s about decisions. For workers, it means proactively gaining new skills and aligning with fast-growing industries. For businesses, it means investing in talent that can adapt to rapidly changing technologies and shifting global dynamics.
The future of work won’t be evenly distributed. Some regions will feel the impact of automation more sharply, while others may benefit from population growth, green infrastructure projects, or tech-led job creation.
But one thing is clear: navigating the labor market of 2030 will require agility, foresight, and a commitment to continuous learning. For those who embrace the change, the opportunities could be greater than ever.
Prepared by Navruzakhon Burieva
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