39% of Core Skills Will Change by 2030, Says World Economic Forum

According to a global survey by the World Economic Forum, there has been noticeable improvement in skill development across countries in recent years. However, with the rapidly changing demand for skills globally, there is a growing risk that workers who are not engaging in skilling, re-skilling, or upskilling processes could become irrelevant or unskilled.

The latest report from the World Economic Forum reveals that the core skills recognized by companies and industry groups are undergoing significant changes. It is estimated that 39% of core skills will change between 2025 and 2030, driven by the future workforce requirements. However, it is encouraging to note that there has been a notable increase in workforce re-skilling and up-skilling compared to previous years.

The global survey by the World Economic Forum showed that many countries have seen improvements in skill development in recent years. Regarding skill instability, in 2020, 57% of employers were concerned about this due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but by 2023, this figure dropped to 44%. In this year’s report, 42% of employers expressed concerns about talent availability over the next five years. 29% of employers were hopeful about the availability of skilled workers during this period.

This improvement could also be attributed to the rise in training, re-skilling, or up-skilling programs, which increased from 41% in 2023 to 50%. According to the World Economic Forum, businesses are concerned about future talent, with analytical thinking being the most in-demand core skill among employers. Most companies consider it essential for 2025. Following that, leadership, social impact, and agility in work culture reforms are also important skills that businesses are looking for.