Jobs Lost to Automation Statistics in 2024

There are millions of robots in factories around the world building our cars, creating delivery routes for the goods we consume, and making our lives easier. Here is an interesting fact: did you know that most of the work those machines do was once performed by humans?

The jobs lost to automation statistics listed in this article will help you see the good and the bad sides of automation, a process that is simultaneously benefiting and hurting us. Read on to find out how.

Top Jobs Lost to Automation Statistics: Editor’s Choice

  • 2.25 million industrial robots are currently in use around the world.
  • 1.7 million manufacturing jobs have been lost to automation so far.
  • Up to 20 million manufacturing jobs could be lost to robots by 2030.
  • 25% of jobs in the US are at a high risk of automation.
  • 1.6 manufacturing jobs are lost for every new robot.
  • Automation will create 133 million jobs by 2022.

How Many Jobs Have Been Lost to Automation?

1. 2.25 million industrial robots are currently in use around the world.

For the past 20 years, the number of robots in use has tripled. And this trend is nowhere close to slowing down. The number of robots taking over jobs is expected to climb to 20 million in the next 10 years. By 2030, China is set to have as many as 14 million industrial robots.

2. 1.7 million manufacturing jobs have been lost to automation so far.

Automation statistics show that—as the number of robots has been steadily growing for the past two decades—the amount of jobs lost due to technology has followed suit. Since 2000, 1.7 million jobs have been lost to automation in the manufacturing industry alone.

3. Just one of the occupations listed in the 1950 US Census has been lost to automation.

If we look at the 1950 US census we will see that, out of the 270 detailed occupations listed, just one has dropped out due to automation. According to the robots taking over jobs statistics, this occupation is “elevator operator”. These stats also reveal that 232 of the occupations listed still exist today, while 32 were lost due to the loss of demand.

4. 37% of young American workers are worried about automation.

Over a third of American workers aged 18-24 worry about the connection between automation and job loss. This is understandable, as job loss statistics show that a large chunk of the population in this age group works in positions that can be easily automated.

Retail, automotive, marketing, and logistics workers are reporting the highest levels of fear of unemployment due to automation.

5. Over 3.5 million truckers are worried about self-driving trucks.

Recent advances in AI have led to millions of truck drivers around the US feeling worried about their jobs. Can the impact of automation on employment be felt in this industry?

The answer is both yes and no; AI replacing jobs statistics indicate that, while the transportation industry is bound to be affected by automation in a major way, self-driving trucks are not something that is likely to replace real drivers any time soon. The self-driving features are likely going to be implemented into trucks fairly soon, but human operators will remain necessary in the foreseeable future.

How Many Jobs Will Be Lost to Automation?

6. 70% of the jobs that could be automated are held by women.

According to research, automation highly threatens 1.5 million jobs in England. Jobs at risk of automation commonly include waiters, shelf-stackers, cashiers, and bar staff, among others. You can read more about this further down in this article. Most positions that are at high risk of being automated are held by women.

7. 25% of jobs in the US are at high risk of being automated.

A quarter of all work positions in the US could join the list of jobs that have been replaced by technology. Jobs lost to robots statistics point out that these occupations are mostly in the service and manufacturing industry. All of them involve repetitive and skill-wise undemanding work, and machines could perform at least 70% of it. The total number of jobs that face high exposure to automation is 36 million.

Another 36% of job positions in the US are at a medium risk of automation, as machines can perform 30-70% of these tasks. 

8. 1.6 manufacturing jobs are lost for every new robot.

Automation and job loss statistics show that a single robot implemented into the manufacturing industry replaces 1.6 workers. A worrying fact in this trend is that the robot-replaced manufacturing workers are likely to move on to industries that are equally susceptible to automation, such as transport, maintenance, and construction. Automation and unemployment seem to be going hand in hand for these workers.

9. Up to 20 million manufacturing jobs could be lost to robots by 2030.

The manufacturing industry alone could lose as many as 20 million job positions in the next 10 years, as technological unemployment statistics and estimates suggest. This number of jobs lost to robots is set to have a major impact, as it represents 8.5% of the global manufacturing workforce.

10. Up to 375 million jobs could be lost to automation by 2030.

Estimates show that between 75 and 375 million workers around the world and across all industries might be out of work due to automation by 2030. This means that the number of jobs lost to automation by 2030 will account for 3-14% of the world’s workforce.

11. Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree have an average automation potential of 24%.

According to robots taking jobs statistics, positions that require a bachelor’s degree face the lowest risk of being automated. Job loss due to automation is least likely among higher-educated workers, as well as in those who earn more, but there’s still some potential for it, depending on the field.

Technology Replacing Jobs Statistics: Highest & Lowest Automation Risk Jobs

12. The potential for job automation for waiters is 73%.

The workers who are most likely to lose their jobs to robots are waiters. As their daily tasks are repetitive and not so skill-driven, the potential for automation is very high. It is estimated that 73% of the activities waiters perform can be automated.

13. The potential for job automation for shelf fillers is 72%.

Shelf fillers are just a step behind waiters when it comes to potential job loss due to automation. Jobs lost to automation statistics reveal that 72% of what they do on a daily basis could be replaced by machinery.

14. The potential for job automation for bar staff is 71%.

Automation job loss is also a threat to those working in bars. 71% of them are facing a high risk of their job being automated in the near future.

15. The potential for job automation for higher education teachers is 20%.

Those teaching at a university level should not fear automation. Robots taking over job statistics show that just 20% of their work can be performed by machines. Secondary school teachers face a similar job automation potential at 21%.

16. The potential for job automation for medical practitioners is 18%.

While medical administrative tasks could easily be automated, medical practitioners are lucky to be practicing one of the jobs least likely to be automated. Dental practitioners are in the same boat with an automation potential of 21%. 

Job Automation Statistics: Positive Sides of Automation

17. Childcare worker demand will increase by at least 100%.

Work positions such as child and elderly care are expected to be on the rise in the coming years, as they are difficult to automate. The number of healthcare jobs created by automation in this industry, both directly and indirectly, is expected to go up to 130 million by 2030.

18. AI will create 2.3 million new jobs in 2020.

AI is not only used to eliminate human labor but also to aid it. All technology taking over jobs statistics highlight this fact. While eliminating around 1.8 million jobs this year, AI is expected to create around 2.3 million new positions, improving the efficiency of millions of workers around the world.

19. Automation will create 133 million jobs by 2022.

Job losses due to automation are expected to reach 75 million by 2022. However, job loss statistics commonly fail to mention the number of jobs that automation creates. By 2022, that number is expected to reach 133 million, which is almost double the number of jobs lost. In the next two years, automation is expected to produce a whopping 58 million new positions.

20. 33% of positions in the US in the last 25 years never existed before.

We are privileged to live in what may just as well be the most exciting period of human development. For the past 25 years, millions of jobs have been created, and a third of them have never existed before, as jobs lost to automation statistics show.

The number of jobs eliminated by technology might be huge, but you can rest assured that the number of those created is even greater. Automation is just a new step forward, not something to be afraid of.

21. 54% of workers will need to acquire new skills.

As the number of jobs lost to technology keeps going up, employees around the world will need to start acquiring new skills. Even though this sounds daunting at first glance, it can actually mean a huge positive change for those workers and their employers in terms of salaries, productivity, and overall life satisfaction.

Technology taking over job statistics suggest that 35% of these workers will need up to six months of additional skill training, 9% will require a full year, while 10% might need more than that to learn the skills necessary to successfully fulfill their new duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of jobs have been lost to automation?

Automation has made millions of positions redundant so far. There are 2.2 million industrial robots in use today, all of which have replaced the human labor force. In the manufacturing industry alone, we’ve lost 1.7 million jobs for the past 20 years. Currently, 25% of jobs in the US are at a high risk of automation.

How many jobs will be lost to automation by 2030?

Even though we have an entire decade to go through by 2030, we can already predict the number of jobs lost to automation with high accuracy. In the manufacturing industry alone, up to 20 million jobs are on the line. When all global industries are taken into account, the number could reach anywhere between 75 and 375 million.

What percentage of careers can be affected by artificial intelligence?

Considering the 2030 predictions, with as many as 375 million jobs at stake, we can estimate that the loss of jobs due to technology could affect up to 14% of the global workforce. If the more humble figure of 75 million is taken into account, then the number of those affected by the automation of jobs by 2030 could range between 3 and 14%.

What jobs have been replaced by technology?

The list of jobs lost to automation so far mostly includes manufacturing workers, especially those in the automotive industry. In general, jobs that can and have been replaced by technology include positions where robots can perform at least 70% of the required operations. This, in most cases, means professions that require much skill and are quite repetitive. 

What jobs will be lost to automation?

Experts expect these will be jobs requiring repetitive and undemanding work that can be assigned to machines, with just a few supervisors needed for an entire factory. Automation is likely to further penetrate the healthcare, retail, and transport industries.

Conclusion

Living in the 21st century comes with numerous perks, most of which are related to technology. Sometimes, however, technology can be harmful. While automation can be seen as a good thing and a step forward, jobs lost to automation statistics show that there are millions of workers who wouldn’t agree. Additional education for the workers who have lost their jobs, or face losing them in the future, can take months or even years, and this is time off work that most of them can’t afford.

Sources

Oxford EconomicsThe Straits TimeQuartzCNBCSkynet TodayIndependentBrookingsBBCMcKinseyBBCGartner, ForbesMcKinseyWorld Economic Forum