WEF says 41% of companies will reduce workforces due to AI by 2030

The World Economic Forum (WEF) wrote in its 2025 Future of Jobs Report that 41 percent of companies will hire fewer employees due to artificial intelligence or AI.

AI drives this massive employment trend; 86 percent of employers see it as the most significant factor in business transformation.

The WEF says this global corporate downsizing will occur by 2030, shifting the demand for various professions.

The WEF’s fastest-growing and fastest-declining jobs

The Future of Jobs Survey asked executives to identify the jobs with increasing and falling demand. Here are the ones that would likely have positive growth: 

1. Big Data Specialists
2. FinTech Engineers
3. AI and Machine Learning Specialists 
4. Software Management Specialists
5. Data Warehousing Specialists
6. Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists
7. UI and UZ Designers
8. Light Truck or Delivery Service Drives
9. Internet of Things (IoT) Specialists
10. Data Analysts and Scientists

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Business process outsourcing provider Valenta says Big Data Specialists “gather, clean, process, and analyze data to identify meaningful insights, trends, and patterns.”

Artificial intelligence tools require huge amounts of data to train, operate, and maintain, so it’s unsurprising that this role is in demand. 

Specifically, the World Economic Forum estimates that 113 million people will likely take on this profession by 2030.

On the other hand, fewer people would likely take the following roles:

1. Postal Service Clerks
2. Bank Tellers and Related Clerks
3. Data Entry Clerks
4. Cashiers and Ticket Clerks
5. Administrative Assistants and Executive Secretaries
6. Printing and Related Trades Workers
7. Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Clerks
8. Material-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks
9. Transportation Attendants and Conductors, Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers
10. Graphic Designers

The ILO’s fastest-growing and fastest-declining jobs

The WEF also shared 2025-2030 job projections from the International Labor Organization. Here are its trending roles for the next five years:

1. Farmworkers, Laborers, and Other Agricultural Workers
2. Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers 
3. Software and Applications Developers
4. Building Framers, Finishers, and Related Trades Workers
5. Shop Salespersons
6. Food Processing and Related Trades Workers
7. Car, Van, and Motorcycle Drivers
8. Nursing Professionals
9. Food and Beverage Serving Workers
10. General and Operations Managers

The agricultural industry is likely to gain 35 million more jobs by 2030, fueled by the global demand for environmental sustainability.

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Rising cost of living and expanding digital access are likewise potential factors. 

On the other hand, here’s the ILO’s list of rapidly-declining jobs:

1. Cashiers and Ticket Clerks
2. Administrative Assistants and Executive Secretaries
3. Building Caretakers, Cleaners, and Housekeepers
4. Material-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks
5. Printing and Related Trades Workers
6. Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Clerks
7. Accountants and Auditors
8. Transportation Attendants and Conductors
9. Security Guards
10. Bank Tellers and Related Clerks

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This dropoff would likely stem from the latest AI trend called the “Agentic Era.” 

Tech firms have been developing AI agents designed as customer service aids and digital assistants. 

Also, Tesla and similar firms are developing humanoid robots for menial jobs like household chores. 

As a result, these tools are more likely to replace cashiers, executive assistants, and similar roles.

The highest-paying jobs in the Philippines for 2025 is similar to those in the WEF jobs report. 

Learn more about these roles here.