Introduction

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - the gifts are wrapped and ready, the 2024 labor market overview is done, the holidays are waiting and we can safely turn to 2025 and start planning. Or, better yet, take a look at some of the trends for the upcoming year and what they mean for candidates and companies.

What are the trends in the labor market for 2025

Is remote work going away in 2025

Although some companies are increasing the mandatory days in the office for their employees, flexible working policies are not going away. One thing’s for sure - employees still prefer to have some form of remote work. And rightfully so! Studies show that people who get to choose where to work from and complete their tasks in a comfortable and inspiring environment are 4% more productive than those who work full time in the office.

A Universum report on The workforce of tomorrow backs up the idea that young professionals no longer see flexibility as an additional benefit, but more like a right of professional work.  An Ivanti study from 2024 expands on the idea of flexibility and shows the term is perceived like much more than an ability to work remotely:

Let’s add the fact that Remote’s 2024 Global Workforce Report shows that over 70% of companies have embraced a remote work policy and we have a great, flexible work mix cooking up for 2025.

What will the workforce look like in 2025

Okay, you already know we’re living in very special times - today’s workforce spans across five generations. According to Purdue Global, 75% percent of the global workforce will be made up of Millennials by 2025. 

When we take a closer look at what GenZ are looking for when looking for a job, the Universum report is pretty clear: young professionals are after high future earnings, a competitive base salary and competitive benefits. Doesn’t sound bad, does it?

How AI affects work

To be fair, AI has been around for quite some time - Alan Turing presented the concept of the Turing test in 1950, the term artificial intelligence was coined by John McCarthy in 1955, and the Logic Theorist, considered the first AI program, appeared in 1956. Recently it was mainly thanks to language models like ChatGPT and image generators like Midjourney and DALL·E that made it the talk of the town. A 2024 global BCG study about work preferences shows that half of those under 21 years old are already using gen AI regularly, compared to 28% of those above the age of 51.

Regular use of GenAI by age, industry and job

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AI has indeed found its way among many industries, thus making some manual jobs obsolete. Some roles are more prone to being phased out because of automation and AI. Among them we find telemarketers, customer service agents, data entry and administrative roles.

One thing’s for sure - AI’s here to stay and we have to find a way to embrace it and use it to our advantage. Experts believe that people unwilling to broaden their knowledge and develop technical skills may find their jobs snatched by AI.

Business objectives to be achieved in 2025 and a global mobility overview

Last but not least, let’s see some of the key takeaways from The State of Global Mobility Report for 2025. 200 business executives, People leaders and Global Mobility experts agree on one thing - we're in for a renewed focus on growth.

Business objectives companies are aiming to achieve in 2025

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Companies are opening their doors (or shall I say online communication channels?) for top candidates from all over the world. 55% of survey participants admit their companies increased their global mobility budgets, helping employees move across different countries and regions for both temporary and permanent assignments. Brace yourself, young professionals, your talent is indeed going global.

Conclusion

If 2024 was big, 2025 will be even bigger and bolder. Employees are ready to negotiate a flexible working environment that suits their needs and are not setting themselves for less than what they deserve. And if that doesn’t inspire you to strive for more, then what will?

‍FAQs

What jobs will be gone by 2025?

While roles such as telemarketers, customer service agents, data entry and administrative workers are more prone to being replaced by automation, it will probably take longer than 2025 for them to be fully machine operated.

Are remote jobs actually good?

‍Yes! Remote jobs allow you to choose a creative and calming work environment, reduce commuting and stress and still be productive.

‍Is remote work becoming a thing of the past?

No, remote work is not becoming a thing of the past. People still want to have flexibility when working and the term is perceived like much more than an ability to work remotely. It includes a flexible schedule, an ability to leave during the day for a personal reason and working a non-traditional workweek.

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