These are the 10 fastest growing and falling jobs by 2030

The World Economic Forum (WEF) reached out to more than 1,000 employers and delivered a study mapping changes in 55 countries. The Future of Jobs 2025 report identified the 10 fastest-growing and 10 fastest-decreasing jobs by 2030. This factsheet provides valuable information for both employees and employers to better prepare for the changes.

The 10 Fastest Falling Positions

Part of the professions are facing a significant downturn due to technological advances, automation and digitalisation of services. The professions most at risk are those involving manual data processing, routine administrative tasks and outdated business models dependent on physical contact with customers.

The top three fastest-decreasing jobs are postal workers, bank officials and data-transcribing clerks. The decline in demand for these positions is due to the rapid development of electronic communications, online banking and automated data-processing systems that can effectively replace manual work.

In fourth to sixth place are cashiers and ticket vendors, assistant or secretarial positions and workers in the printing industry. The growth of e-commerce and self-service cash registers reduces the need for cashiers in brick-and-mortar stores. In turn, the automation of office processes leads to a lower demand for administrative staff, while the digitalisation of media is causing the decline of the printing sector.

Accountants, warehouse workers, passenger transport workers and field sellers of goods (e.g. doorstep sales, stand sales) ranked seventh to tenth. Automation of accounting and financial processes reduces the need for employees in this field. The robotisation of logistics affects warehouse positions and transport guides are gradually being replaced by digital information systems. On-the-ground sellers of goods are facing a shift in consumers towards online services.

The 10 Fastest Growing Positions

Big Data specialists rank first in the fastest growing professions, followed by FinTech engineers and experts in artificial intelligence and machine learning. This trend is driven by an increasing demand for big data analytics and processing, the increasing digitalisation of financial services and the deployment of artificial intelligence in business processes.

In fourth to sixth place are software and application developers, cybersecurity experts and data warehouse specialists. Their growth is related to the digital transformation of companies, growing cyber threats and the need to effectively manage and analyse data.

In seventh to tenth place among the fastest growing positions are autonomous and electric vehicle specialists, UX/UI designers, light van drivers and Internet of Things specialists. Demand for these professions is affected by the rapid development of electromobility, the growing importance of user interface design, the continued expansion of online commerce and the wider use of connected devices in industry and households.

What is the World Economic Forum warning about?

According to the World Economic Forum, if we imagine the world labour market as 100 people, 59 of them will need further education and skills development by 2030. Of this number, 29 may acquire new skills directly within their current profession, while 19 are likely to have to retrain and move to other positions within their firm. However, 11 employees are unlikely to have access to the necessary retraining, which will increase their risk of unemployment .

What measures can help to transform the labour market?

According to the World Economic Forum, the financing and provision of targeted retraining and further training has the greatest potential – more than 50% of employers consider these measures to be key. Modernising the education system to better reflect labour market needs and strengthen technological and analytical skills is also becoming increasingly important. More flexible labour laws that allow easier career transitions and promote hybrid work are another important factor that can help both employees and companies adapt to new conditions.

Author of the text: Miloš Moravčík