The future of work — 2030 and 2035
Two sources, two angles: the World Economic Forum's employer survey to 2030, and Cedefop's occupation model for the EU to 2035.
The global picture to 2030 (WEF)
+170 m
new jobs by 2030
14%
−92.0 m
jobs displaced
8%
+78.0 m
net growth
39%
of skills will change by 2030
Out of 100 workers by 2030
29
19
11
41
- 29 will be upskilled in their current role
- 19 will be redeployed
- 11 are unlikely to receive training
- 41 need no retraining by 2030
86%
expect AI to transform their business
85%
plan upskilling
66%
plan to hire people with AI skills
40%
would reduce staff where AI can automate
Fastest-growing jobs
- 1.Big Data Specialists57
- 2.FinTech Engineers53
- 3.AI and Machine Learning Specialists49
- 4.Software and Applications Developers53
- 5.Security Management Specialists49
- 6.Data Warehousing Specialists57
- 7.Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists32
- 8.UI and UX Designers60
- 9.Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers28
- 10.Internet of Things Specialists52
- 11.Data Analysts and Scientists56
- 12.Environmental Engineers38
- 13.Information Security Analysts49
- 14.DevOps Engineers53
- 15.Renewable Energy Engineers31
Fastest-declining jobs
- 1.Postal Service Clerks41
- 2.Bank Tellers and Related Clerks58
- 3.Data Entry Clerks70
- 4.Cashiers and Ticket Clerks39
- 5.Administrative Assistants and Executive Secretaries54
- 6.Printing and Related Trades Workers38
- 7.Accounting, Bookkeeping and Payroll Clerks64
- 8.Material-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks37
- 9.Transportation Attendants and Conductors25
- 10.Door-to-Door Sales, News and Street Vendors46
- 11.Graphic Designers49
- 12.Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators45
- 13.Legal Officials39
- 14.Legal Secretaries55
- 15.Telemarketers61
Most new jobs (absolute)
- 1.Farmworkers, Labourers, Other Agricultural Workers9
- 2.Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers28
- 3.Software and Applications Developers53
- 4.Building Framers, Finishers, Related Trades14
- 5.Shop Salespersons38
- 6.Food Processing and Related Trades Workers17
- 7.Car, Van and Motorcycle Drivers28
- 8.Nursing Professionals25
- 9.Food and Beverage Serving Workers28
- 10.General and Operations Managers38
Most jobs lost (absolute)
- 1.Cashiers and Ticket Clerks39
- 2.Administrative Assistants and Executive Secretaries54
- 3.Building Caretakers, Cleaners and Housekeepers27
- 4.Material-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks37
- 5.Printing and Related Trades Workers38
- 6.Accounting, Bookkeeping and Payroll Clerks64
- 7.Accountants and Auditors51
- 8.Transportation Attendants and Conductors25
- 9.Security Guards20
- 10.Bank Tellers and Related Clerks58
The WEF publishes no exact percentages for these lists — we show the ranking only. Click a job for its exposure. World Economic Forum — The Future of Jobs Report 2025 ↗
Europe to 2035 (Cedefop)
Expected change by occupational group between 2025 and 2035. Blue grows, orange shrinks.
EU27AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerland
Germany · 2025→2035
- Production and specialised services managers+54.3%
- Numerical and material recording clerks+47.1%
- Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals+46.6%
- Assemblers+21.2%
- Health associate professionals+20.6%
- Information and communications technicians+17.4%
- Business and administration professionals+12.8%
- Electrical and electronic trades workers+12.2%
- Customer services clerks+11.6%
- Information and communications technology professionals+10.9%
- Teaching professionals+8.0%
- Business and administration associate professionals+7.1%
- Food preparation assistants+5.8%
- Legal, social and cultural professionals+3.7%
- Science and engineering professionals+1.5%
- Chief executives, senior officials and legislators+0.3%
- Refuse workers and other elementary workers−3.3%
- Protective services workers−4.3%
- Personal care workers−4.6%
- Market-oriented skilled agricultural workers−6.5%
- Agricultural, forestry and fishery labourers−6.9%
- Stationary plant and machine operators−9.1%
- Drivers and mobile plant operators−9.3%
- Health professionals−10.3%
- Personal service workers−11.9%
- Labourers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport−12.3%
- Sales workers−12.6%
- Handicraft and printing workers−14.1%
- Metal, machinery and related trades workers−14.3%
- Food processing, wood working, garment and other craft and related trades workers−14.7%
- Science and engineering associate professionals−15.2%
- Cleaners and helpers−15.4%
- Hospitality, retail and other services managers−18.9%
- Building and related trades workers, excluding electricians−22.0%
- General and keyboard clerks−30.4%
- Other clerical support workers−34.0%
- Administrative and commercial managers−44.6%
Where do job openings come from?
Most openings are not new roles but replacements: someone retires or switches careers. Expansion and replacement 2025–2035, by occupational group.
- Numerical and material recording clerks1,691 thousand
- Health associate professionals1,476 thousand
- Business and administration associate professionals1,053 thousand
- Teaching professionals848 thousand
- Business and administration professionals765 thousand
- Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals629 thousand
- Science and engineering professionals518 thousand
- Production and specialised services managers506 thousand
- Sales workers497 thousand
- Legal, social and cultural professionals486 thousand
- Information and communications technology professionals423 thousand
- Electrical and electronic trades workers382 thousand
- Personal service workers297 thousand
- Metal, machinery and related trades workers245 thousand
Cedefop Skills Forecast 2026 (CC BY 4.0).