The world of work today finds itself in a pivotal period of transition. Technological, economic, environmental and demographic changes are intertwining to shape a future that requires adaptation, resilience and new skills. While some sectors will thrive, others will face unprecedented challenges. This is what emerges from the 2025 report of the World Economic Forum on thefuture of jobs. Based on the perspectives of more than 1,4000 employers around the world, representing more than 14 million workers, this document highlights the major trends that will shape the job market global by 2030, providing an in-depth analysis of the forces at play.
Digital as a driver of transformation
The most striking conclusion of the report is the decisive importance of expanded digital access. For 60% of employers surveyed, this democratization of digital will be the most powerful transformative factor by 2030. This evolution is closely linked to dazzling technological progress, notably theartificial intelligence (AI) and information processing (86% of employers anticipating a transformative impact), robotics and automation (58%), and renewable energy production (41%). This technological revolution will not be without consequences: while it will create highly qualified jobs in the fields of AI, Big Data, cybersecurity and software development, it will, however, lead to the disappearance of less qualified jobs. The demand for technological skills, including digital literacy, will therefore become crucial.
Inflation and economic slowdown: a double threat
The second major trend, and the most important related to economic conditions, is the increase in cost of living. Half of the employers anticipate a significant impact on their companiesand this despite a forecast of a decline in global inflation. The general economic slowdown, although less pronounced, remains a major concern (impacting 42% of businesses). These factors could lead to the loss of 1.6 million jobs worldwide. Faced with these challenges, the demand for skills in creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility will increase significantly.
The green transition: a new field of employment
Attenuation andadaptation to climate change occupy prominent places in the report. 47% of employers anticipate a transformative impact from mitigation, and 41% for adaptation. This green transition will boost the creation of green jobs, notably in renewable energy, environmental engineering and autonomous electric vehicles. Environmental management even enters the top 10 most sought-after skills for the first time.
Demography and geopolitics: determining factors
The report also highlights the impact of demographic changes. The aging of the population in high-income countries and the growth of the labor force in low-income countries pose both challenges and opportunities for the labor market. They will need to generate strong demand for skills in talent management, education and mentoring. Job growth in the health (care workers) and education (teachers) sectors is expected.
Geopolitical tensions are redefining work
Geoeconomic fragmentation is another major trend, with 34% of companies expecting to transform their business models due to geopolitical tensions. The strengthening of trade restrictions and the industrial policies encourage relocation or even relocation of activities. This situation stimulates the demand for jobs related to security and skills in cybersecurity.
Creation of 78 million jobs by 2030
According to the report’s projections, the structural transformation of labor market will lead to the creation of 170 million new jobsbut also the elimination of 92 million existing jobs. Ultimately, net growth of 78 million jobs is expected, or 7% of current total employment. Frontline jobs (farming, delivery, construction, sales) will see the strongest growth in absolute volume, as will jobs in the care and education sector. Conversely, clerical and secretarial jobs will be most affected by job cuts.
40% of current skills will be obsolete by 2030
The report highlights the urgent need foradaptation of skills. Around 40% of current skills will become obsolete by 2030. analytical thinking remains the core skill most sought after by employers, with seven out of ten companies considering it essential. It is followed by the resiliencethe flexibility and theagilityas well as leadership and social influence. AI, Big Data, Cybersecurity and Digital Literacy will be the fastest growing skills. Conversely, manual dexterity, endurance and precision stand out as clear declines in skill demand, with 24% of respondents predicting a decrease in their importance. 59% of the world’s working population will need training or retraining by 2030, highlighting the importance of public training and employment support policies. Skills gaps are identified as the biggest barrier to business transformation.
52% of employers plan to increase their payroll
By 2030, more than half of employers (52%) plan to increase the share of salaries in their income, while only 8% anticipate a decrease. This evolution of salary strategies aims to align remuneration with productivity and performance, while seeking to attract and retain talent. Support for employee health and well-being, training and development initiatives, and diversity, equity and inclusion policies will play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent.
Workforce reductions envisaged by 40% of respondents
The survey reveals that the lack of skills represents the main obstacle to business transformation for the period 2025-2030. In fact, 63% of employers surveyed consider it to be a significant obstacle. To remedy this, 85% will favor the development of internal skills, while 70% will focus on recruiting profiles with new skills. At the same time, 40% are considering workforce reductions linked to the obsolescence of certain skills, and 50% are planning the reorientation of their employees towards growth sectors.
What about in Morocco?
The report on thefuture of jobs paints a contrasting picture of Moroccan labor market by 2030. Certainly, a certain optimism prevails regarding the future availability of talents, but the ongoing structural transformation imposes major challenges in terms of skills and adaptation.
An inevitable transformation: stronger than at the global level
The investigation highlights the scale of the coming upheaval. In Morocco, 27% of current jobs will be impacted by this transformation, a figure higher than the world average (22%).
These fluctuations are not limited to the creation and disappearance of jobs: 37% of basic skills of Moroccan workers will have to evolve over the next five years, compared to 39% globally. These figures confirm that low- and middle-income economies, including Morocco, are particularly exposed to these disruptions.
Artificial intelligence and soft skills at the heart of future needs
Faced with this transformation, Moroccan companies anticipate strong demand for specific skills.
Artificial Intelligence and Big Data (88%), creative thinking (87%), leadership and social influence (75%), as well as cybersecurity and analytics skills (71 and 69% respectively) will be particularly sought after. The strong enthusiasm for AI is also confirmed by the adoption rate of AI programs by Moroccan organizations (94%), higher than the world average (88%).
Major obstacles: lack of skills and resistance to change
Despite this relative optimism regarding future talent, the path to 2030 is strewn with pitfalls. Moroccan companies clearly identify two major obstacles: lack of skills (62% of respondents) and internal resistance to change (43%). The green transition and economic uncertainty are, for their part, identified as the main forces shaping this transformation.
Cautious optimism and strategies to favor
Moroccan employers display a certain optimism about the future availability of talent: 56% anticipate an improvement in recruitment conditions. They focus on developing existing skills (75%) and retaining their talents (44%). However, the strategy of exploiting diverse talent pools remains underexploited (24% compared to 47% globally). It should also be noted that 86% of companies plan to prioritize young people in their diversity, equity and inclusion policies in particular.
The crucial importance of public policies
To support this change, Moroccan companies emphasize the importance of public interventions. Financing “reskilling” and “upskilling” as well as wage subsidies (53% of respondents) are seen as the most effective levers for aligning the skills of the workforce with the future needs of the labor market. work. Public investment in skills development therefore appears to be a crucial element for making this transition a success.
