Top 15 jobs that are on the decline in the next 5 years

Why are they declining in demand

Author

Boago Sephutho
May 13, 2025

Good morning 😃☀️🌞, let’s get into today’s article. According to the World Economic Forum report, there are 15 jobs that are declining towards 2030, and we will find out why they’re declining as well:

Based on the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, here are the top careers projected to decline significantly between 2023 and 2027 (many of which are expected to continue disappearing into the 2030s):

Jobs in Structural Decline (in order of largest expected % decline):

Bank Tellers and Related Clerks

  • % Decline: ~40%

  • Reason: Automation and online banking.

Postal Service Clerks

  • % Decline: ~40%

  • Reason: Decline in paper mail and digitization.

Cashiers and Ticket Clerks

  • % Decline: ~36%

  • Reason: Self-checkout systems, mobile payments.

Data Entry Clerks

  • % Decline: ~35%

  • Reason: Automation of routine digital tasks.

Administrative and Executive Secretaries

  • % Decline: ~34%

  • Reason: Workflow software and AI scheduling tools.

Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Clerks

  • % Decline: ~33%

  • Reason: Cloud accounting tools and AI.

Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, Related Workers

  • % Decline: ~32%

  • Reason: E-commerce dominance.

Statistical, Finance, and Insurance Clerks

  • % Decline: ~32%

  • Reason: Data-driven automation.

Telemarketers

  • % Decline: ~30%

  • Reason: AI chatbots and spam regulation.

Assembly and Factory Workers (Manual)

  • % Decline: ~26%

  • Reason: Robotics and advanced manufacturing.

Legal Secretaries

  • % Decline: ~24%

  • Reason: Legal tech platforms.

Banking and Related Clerks

  • % Decline: ~24%

  • Reason: Fintech and self-service apps.

Customer Information Clerks

  • % Decline: ~22%

  • Reason: Automated customer support (AI chatbots).

Secretaries (General)

  • % Decline: ~21%

  • Reason: Digital tools replacing administrative functions.

Stock-Keeping Clerks

  • % Decline: ~20%

  • Reason: Inventory management systems and RFID.

Common Themes in Declining Roles:

  • Routine, rule-based, and repetitive tasks.

  • Jobs easily replaced by automation, AI, or digital platforms.

  • Support roles that don’t involve creative thinking or interpersonal interaction.

    Source: World Economic Forum report