The 15 Jobs Disappearing Fastest, Ranked

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The job market is changing faster than you can say “artificial intelligence,” and some careers are heading toward extinction quicker than others. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, we’re looking at a massive transformation, with about 92 million jobs expected to be displaced by 2030. Let’s dive into the careers that are vanishing before our eyes, ranked from “still hanging in there” to “practically extinct.”

The workplace landscape is changing at breakneck speed, folks. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, a whopping 92 million jobs (equivalent to 8% of current employment) are expected to be displaced by 2030. As AI and automation technologies continue their relentless march forward, certain occupations are disappearing faster than others. Here’s a definitive ranking of the 15 jobs that are vanishing before our eyes.

15. Telemarketers

Remember those dinner-interrupting phone calls and the ones you get just when you’re trying to finish a dozen tasks all at the same time? With robocalls and chatbots taking over, this very thankless job that everybody universally loves to hate will soon be replaced by AI, and telemarketers will eventually have to hang up their headsets for good.

Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands, telephone operators are largely being replaced by automated directory systems, digital switchboards, and voice recognition technology. Call centers are shrinking as companies implement digital-first customer service strategies that require fewer human agents.

14. Legal secretaries

As law firms digitize and streamline operations, this job role is becoming quite a rare thing if the Future of Jobs Report 2025 is anything to go by. The role requires proficiency in legal terminology, organizational skills, and attention to detail, with responsibilities typically including preparing legal documents, managing schedules, conducting research, organizing case files, and facilitating communication between attorneys and clients.

However, AI-powered tools like case management software, digital filing systems, and AI-driven scheduling have reduced the demand for human involvement in these tasks. As law firms increasingly adopt technology to improve efficiency, the need for legal secretaries is diminishing, placing this occupation among those at risk of significant displacement by 2030.

Point to be noted: While automation is reducing the demand for legal secretaries, it is important to note that AI cannot fully replace human judgment or interpersonal skills required in certain aspects of legal work, so it remains to be seen what this job role is going to look like in the future. The ideal scenario would perhaps include opportunities for adaptation and collaboration between human expertise and AI tech.

13. Legal officials

Even the law isn’t immune to automation. With AI capable of reviewing documents and predicting case outcomes, some legal roles are facing extinction, thanks to the tech world. Legal officers, for example, who are tasked with compliance, contract review, or litigation support—are seeing parts of their roles automated by AI-driven tools like e-discovery software and contract analysis platforms.

While strategic legal expertise remains in demand, routine tasks such as document review or due diligence are increasingly handled by machines. Legal professionals who fail to adapt to these technological advancements risk being left behind.

12. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

As AI algorithms get better at detecting fraud, crunching numbers, assessing risks, and processing claims, these jobs are facing an uncertain future. While exact numbers are unclear, patterns suggest that machines might soon be adjusting more than just our insurance premiums.

Points for consideration: While technology may reduce the demand for entry-level roles in claims processing, it also creates opportunities for adjusters to specialize in areas requiring human skills, including human judgment, negotiation skills, and empathy. Therefore, while these jobs face disruption from automation (as is rightly noted by the Future of Jobs Report 2025), they are not disappearing entirely but evolving alongside technological advancements.

11. Graphic designers

Don’t panic just yet, creative types! While traditional graphic design jobs are declining, it’s mainly the cookie-cutter stuff; those with a unique artistic flair will still find their skills in demand. However, it is true that the field is still evolving. With AI-powered design tools, automation, and changing employer expectations on the rise, designers need to adapt or risk becoming as outdated as a Windows 95 interface.

Nuance to be noted: Many designers are adapting by focusing on niches like UX/UI design, freelancing, or integrating AI into their workflows to stay competitive. The demand for creative and analytical thinking remains strong across industries.

10. Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers

In the age of online shopping, caller IDs, and digital news consumption, these street-pounding professions are becoming as rare as a phone booth. While specific numbers are hard to come by, the writing’s on the wall (or rather, on your smartphone screen).

Interesting tidbit: While street vendors remain an important part of the informal economy in many regions, their operations face challenges such as regulatory restrictions, harassment, and competition from formal retail outlets. However, the rise of social media has enabled some street food vendors to thrive by leveraging digital platforms for marketing and customer engagement.

9. Transportation attendants and conductors

With self-service kiosks and streamlined ticketing systems improving efficiency, reducing wait times, and lowering operational costs, these jobs are reaching the end of the line. While the numbers aren’t available, the trend is clear.

However, it’s worth noting that automation often redistributes labor rather than eliminating it entirely, with some workers transitioning to roles such as customer service or technical support for these systems.

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