As the global job market continues to evolve, the World Economic Forum’s latest Future of Jobs Report 2025 has shed light on the fastest-growing and fastest-declining jobs by 2030.
According to the report skills in AI, big data and networks and cybersecurity, technological literacy, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility will be in high demand in the global workforce.
The executives surveyed revealed that the fastest growing job roles by 2030, in percentage terms, tend to be driven by technological developments, such as advancements in AI and robotics and increasing digital access.
Big data specialists and FinTech engineers top the list, with the increasing reliance on data analytics and digital financial services.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning specialists will also be in high demand as businesses seek to automate processes and improve efficiency.
Top 15 Fastest Growing Jobs
Software and applications developers, particularly those focused on security and user experience, are expected to see a significant rise in employment opportunities.
While technology trends partly contribute to the growth of security-related roles such as Security Management Specialists, which rank among the top five fastest-growing roles, increased geopolitical fragmentation contributes in large part to the growth of this role.
Driven by the same combination of technology and geoeconomic trends, another security-related role, Information Security Analysts, also appears among the top 15.
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Also in the list are data warehousing specialists, tasked with managing and securing vast amounts of data.
Green and energy-transition roles, including Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists, Environmental Engineers, and Renewable Energy Engineers, also feature within the top 15 fastest-growing roles.
The growth of these roles is driven by increased efforts and investments to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.
The growing adoption of energy generation, storage and distribution technologies, alongside other technology trends, are additional contributing factors.
Also in the list are data warehousing specialists, tasked with managing and securing vast amounts of data.
IoT (Internet of Things) specialists, UI and UX Designers, Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers, Data Analysts and Scientists and DevOps engineers will also see increasing demand.
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Fastest Declining Jobs
On the flip side, some jobs are projected to decline significantly by 2030.
Postal service clerks, once an essential part of the workforce, are expected to experience a steep decline due to the rise of digital communication methods.
Bank tellers and related clerks are also facing a decline, driven by the shift towards online banking and digital transactions.
The automation of retail operations and the growth of self-checkout systems will lead to the decline of jobs like cashiers and ticket clerks.
Similarly, administrative assistants and executive secretaries will be phased out as more tasks are automated or outsourced.
The decline extends to printing-related jobs, as digital media continues to overshadow traditional print.
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Clerical Jobs to Decline
Accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll clerks are also on the decline as cloud-based solutions and automation tools handle these tasks.
Other declining roles include transportation attendants and conductors, door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors and related workers, all of which are being replaced by automation or digital alternatives.
Additional jobs that will decline are Graphic Designers Claims Adjusters, Examiners, Investigators, Legal Officials, legal secretaries and telemarketers.
Broadening digital access, AI and information processing technologies, and robots and autonomous systems are the primary drivers for this decline.
Aging declining working-age populations and slower economic growth also contribute to the decline in clerical roles.
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