The job market is undergoing a massive transformation as skills requirements evolve rapidly. While some skills are becoming obsolete, new ones are emerging as critical for career success. The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be a hot topic, with automation already reducing demand for certain entry-level roles. So, how can you safeguard your career?
Key Skills Employers Value Most
According to the World Economic Forum's 'Future of Jobs Report 2025', which surveyed over 1,000 major global employers representing 14 million workers across 22 industries, certain skills stand out as essential.
Analytical thinking tops the list, with 69% of employers identifying it as a core workforce requirement. Close behind is resilience, flexibility, and agility, considered essential by 67% of employers.
Leadership and social influence remains crucial, with 61% of employers highlighting its importance. Meanwhile, creative thinking is recognized as a key skill by 57% of employers.
Other skills that at least half of employers consider essential include:
- Motivation and self-awareness
- Technological literacy
- Empathy and active listening
- Curiosity and lifelong learning
Interestingly, fewer than half of employers currently view AI and big data handling as a core skill, while multi-lingualism and global citizenship are in lower demand. The least cited skill is sensory-processing abilities, named by only 6% of employers.
Skills Set for Major Growth by 2030
Employers were asked to predict which skills would increase, decline, or remain stable by 2030. The results show significant shifts ahead.
AI and big data is expected to see the biggest increase at 87%, followed by networks and cybersecurity (70%) and technological literacy (68%).
Complementing these technical skills, several soft skills are also projected to grow in importance:
- Creative thinking
- Resilience, flexibility, and agility
- Curiosity and lifelong learning
Leadership and social influence and talent management are forecast to remain in high demand.
Only two skills are expected to decline: manual dexterity, endurance and precision and reading, writing and mathematics.
The report notes that "The COVID-19 pandemic, along with rapid advancements in frontier technologies, led to significant disruptions in working life and skills."
Regional Variations in Skills Disruption
The level of skills disruption varies significantly across different economies and industries. Lower-middle and upper-middle income economies expect greater changes in workers' skills, while high-income economies anticipate less disruption.
Among the 55 economies surveyed, 10 of the 12 expecting the least disruption between 2025 and 2030 are in Europe, including Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, France, and Germany.
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