The 16 major trends that shape the labor market in 2025, as part of the study “accelerating adaptability – global human resources trends 2025”, was presented by the Group Manpowergroup In the 55th World Economic Forum in Davos, where more than 3,000 business leaders and 60 heads of state and governments discussed the challenges, opportunities and new skills needed for the future of employment.

Trends categorized into four fundamental forces that shape the world of employment:

  • Expanded human resources
  • New ways of working
  • Digital transformation
  • Acceleration of global change

The expanded human resources

An increasingly diverse global human resources will affect the future of employment, determining who will be available for work, as well as when and how they work. Modern trends of enlarged human resources redevelop the labor market, demanding targeted adaptation strategies. Generation Z enters the work environment with skills and challenges in commitment (TASSI #1 – Gen Z acquires skills), while Millennial Managers are under intense pressures, affecting the stability of organisms (TAIN #2 – Millennial Managers experience ” pressure”). At the same time, the gender wage divide remains a major challenge, with the need for more equal opportunities (tension #3 – a reduction in the gender gap in the labor market), while the commitment of businesses to diversity and integration (deib) is kept constant, with artificial Intelligence to play a role in the creation of fairer employment conditions (TASSI #4 – Deib’s constant commitment).

New Working Ways: Changing the Working Environment

By 2020, work has changed radically, with more teleworking and flexible models. Employers and workers continue to adapt to this new reality.

The change in the work environment is determined by the increasing pressure for productivity, the need for creativity and the upgrading of the role of frontline workers (TAIN #5 – Pressure powered by productivity) & (TASSI #7 – frontline workers in the foreground ). The stress and new demands brought about by artificial intelligence require better support from employers, while hybrid work models promote innovation and social interconnection (voltage #6 – creativity and evolution in the workplace). At the same time, Gig Economy and the rapid concentration of talent leads to new forms of employment, making critical skills development and flexibility in the labor market. (TASS #8 – Rapid Talent Concentration)

Digital transformation

The new ways of working are shaped by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, the need for career durability, the growing importance of cyber security and the established innovation. (TASSI #9 Artificial Intelligence: From the enthusiasm to its strategic implementation), (TASSI #10 – Career Resistance and New Skills) & (TASSI #11 – Cyber ​​Security: The New Challenge). Businesses invest in technological solutions and skills development, while institutional innovation becomes a central axis for sustainability. By adapting to these trends, organizations and workers, they gain a competitive advantage in the new digital age. (TASE #12 – Institutional Innovation: Necessary Adaptation for Sustainable Development).

Acceleration of global change

In industry 4.0, organizations are facing critical shortcomings of talent worldwide, along with geopolitical institutions and challenges of sustainability and environment. The democratization of artificial intelligence accelerates digital transformation and reshapes the structure of organisms. The transformation of green businesses leads to the creation of millions of new jobs and requires the adaptation of skills to sustainable practices (voltage #13 – transformation of green businesses). Geopolitical uncertainty causes disorders in supply chains and affects labor markets, while the displacement of labor force changes the balance between employers and workers (TASSI #14 – geopolitical uncertainty), (voltage #15 – the displacement of labor power). Finally, the lack of talent remains a steady challenge, with artificial intelligence creating new employment opportunities. Businesses are required to invest in AE technologies and skills upgrades to adapt to new conditions. (TASSI #16 – Lack of talent: “constant” in an uncertain future).

Commenting on the new trends of the “era of adaptability”, Mr. Charalambos KazantzidisManpowerGroup Greece chief executive, he said: “The labor market is at a crucial turning point, where technological and environmental changes, geopolitical uncertainty and lack of talent remodel the future of employment. The acceleration of digital transformation, shift in green jobs and the need for career durability require businesses a new approach: investment in continuous education, enhancing sustainable development and creating flexible human resources management strategies. At ManpowerGroup, we recognize that adaptability is not just an option, but a prerequisite for success. Organizations that will dare to innovate, exploit the dynamics of new technologies and enhance the human connection to the workplace will be the ones who will shape the future of the market. “

Responses to the survey were collected from 1st to 31st October 2024 and 40.413 employers in 42 countriesincluding 525 Greek employers.