From 2025 to 2030, roles involving artificial intelligence and data science are expected to grow at the fastest pace globally. Based on a forecast compiled from employer responses across more than 14 million employees, demand is rising most steeply for jobs that support digital transformation and automation.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 collected input from over 1,000 companies worldwide. Their projections suggest that the strongest employment growth will come from sectors tied to machine learning, software, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure.
Jobs With the Highest Growth Rates
Big Data Specialists are projected to see a 110% increase by 2030, leading all other job types in terms of growth. FinTech Engineers follow with 95%, while roles for AI and Machine Learning Specialists are set to grow by 85%.
Other positions with strong momentum include Software and Applications Developers, which are expected to expand by 60%. Security Management Specialists may grow by 55%, and Information Security Analysts are projected to see a 40% rise. These gains reflect the broader shift toward securing digital systems and building scalable software tools.
Impact of Technology on the Labor Market
Fields associated with robotics, data analysis, and connected infrastructure also appear prominently in the forecast. Jobs involving Data Warehousing, Internet of Things (IoT), and Autonomous Vehicles each show projected growth ranging from 40% to 50%. The same rate of increase is seen in positions for Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Engineers, and DevOps professionals.
Delivery driving also appears on the list, with Light Truck or Delivery Service Drivers showing a 45% gain, likely tied to expanding e-commerce logistics.
Cybersecurity and System Resilience Remain Priorities
While AI-centered roles are rising fastest, software development and system defense remain core areas of expansion. The report connects this trend to the increasing costs and frequency of cyberattacks. According to related industry data, the average global cost of a data breach reached $4.9 million in 2024, up 10% from the previous year.
In response, companies continue to increase hiring in roles that support cyber risk mitigation and digital continuity planning. As organizations manage growing volumes of digital activity, the need for secure and stable infrastructure remains a key priority.
Shifting Requirements Across Global Employers
The projected changes reflect a clear movement toward technical specialization. Employers appear to be focusing hiring strategies on roles that can support innovation in AI systems, financial technologies, and energy efficiency. Alongside that, they are reinforcing digital defense through trained security staff.
Most of the highest growth roles require a combination of programming knowledge, systems thinking, and domain expertise. As automation scales, demand for low-growth or repetitive tasks continues to decline.
These forecasts offer a broad snapshot of how job markets may evolve over the next five years. While growth varies by sector, the overall direction is shaped by increased integration of intelligent systems and real-time data use in global operations.
| Job Title | Net Growth (2025–2030) |
|---|---|
| Big Data Specialists | 110% |
| FinTech Engineers | 95% |
| AI and Machine Learning Specialists | 85% |
| Software and Applications Developers | 60% |
| Security Management Specialists | 55% |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | 50% |
| Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Specialists | 45% |
| UI and UX Designers | 45% |
| Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers | 45% |
| Internet of Things Specialists | 40% |
| Data Analysts and Scientists | 40% |
| Environmental Engineers | 40% |
| Information Security Analysts | 40% |
| DevOps Engineers | 40% |
| Renewable Energy Engineers | 40% |
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
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