In the face of demographic decline and ongoing labor shortages across essential industries, top destinations for expatriates are increasingly welcoming skilled and highly skilled immigrants. Meanwhile, the scope of artificial intelligence is broadening, encroaching on numerous professional sectors. Here's an analysis.
International recruitment in AI: Trends and opportunities in 2025
On February 10th and 11th, 2025, Paris will host the inaugural Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This pivotal global event will attract world leaders, government officials, and AI luminaries, including notable figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Musk, who urged a pause in AI development back in March 2023, now champions a new paradigm of free speech with his company xAi, founded in July 2023. This vision starkly contrasts with that of OpenAI, which Musk left in 2018, criticizing it as overly progressive.
By 2025, the AI sector is expected to employ approximately 100 million people globally. This burgeoning field offers both opportunities and challenges for expatriates and prospective expats. AI not only fosters job creation primarily in Tech but also extends its influence into other industries.
Key professions set to dominate the international job market include cybersecurity experts, data scientists, cloud engineers, developer engineers, machine learning engineers, roboticists, and IT project managers. Within the specialized AI sector, there will be a heightened demand for AI specialists, cryptologists, and robotic engineers. The wider data sector will also see significant growth, seeking professionals across all industries, such as data engineers, Big Data developers, forensic analysts (digital investigation), and business intelligence engineers. Furthermore, the IT industry is set to expand roles for Information Systems Security Managers (ISSMs), systems and network engineers, and infrastructure managers.
Future of industry: AI, green energy, etc.
Experts believe that AI is ushering in a new industrial revolution. In 2025, global recruitment efforts will focus on acquiring specialists in the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics engineers, connected maintenance technicians, industrial transformation project managers, and computer industry analysts-programmers.
2025 also marks a pivotal year for environmental action. On March 22, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will host "Earth Hour," the largest global citizen initiative for planetary protection. Additionally, June 5 will celebrate World Environment Day. In response to growing environmental concerns, various nations have launched ambitious green programs such as the Saudi Green Initiative, UAE Green Agenda, The European Green Deal, and initiatives by the Australian Government Energy Agency. These programs underscore the need for more expertise, again highlighting the role of international recruitment.
The demand for professionals in green technologies will see significant growth. Renewable energy engineers, carbon analysts, chief impact officers, sustainable procurement managers, skilled thermal insulation workers, photovoltaic panel installers, and sustainable construction technicians will be in high demand.
AI's impact on job markets
The initial layoffs in the tech sector during 2021-2022 were not directly attributed to AI, but the substantial layoff plans seen in 2024 increasingly implicate AI technologies. The World Economic Forum projects that by 2025, AI will have displaced approximately 85 million jobs while creating 97 million new ones. However, these won't be direct job-for-job replacements. Positions characterized by automatable tasks face the highest risk of being phased out by AI. This threat extends beyond typically low-skilled roles; professions in accounting, law, software development, journalism, translation, arts, and education could also be at risk.
For those considering a move abroad, these changes introduce a new layer of "pressure" to enhance their skills and secure roles that demand highly specialized expertise.
Job stability amidst AI advances
Contrary to gloomy predictions, Daron Acemoglu, an MIT economist, foresees minimal job destruction from AI—just 5% over the next decade, which starkly contrasts with the 40% job loss forecasted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Acemoglu highlights professions where human presence is irreplaceable, such as catering, law enforcement, construction, and manual trades. He argues that despite advancements in AI, these fields cannot fully automate human roles.
Furthermore, while there is a significant focus on recruiting highly skilled expatriates, there is also a demand for less skilled workers, particularly in sectors like tourism, catering, construction, and healthcare, reflecting a diverse expatriate workforce need.
There's also a reassessment of so-called "intellectual" professions. Despite AI's capabilities in generating creative content like novels and articles, it is unlikely to replace human writers, journalists, teachers, lawyers, illustrators, photographers, and graphic designers. Nevertheless, AI companies are encouraged to adhere to copyright laws to utilize content necessary for AI learning legally.
Acemoglu's main concern lies with companies potentially rushing into AI too hastily, akin to the "Tech bubble" that burst when borders reopened—prompted by overestimations of lasting changes in consumer behavior. He warns of a possible "AI bubble," suggesting that while AI will assist in some office jobs, the fear of widespread job replacement may be overblown.
Global mobility amid labor shortages
Despite stricter immigration regulations in several major countries, labor shortages persist as a significant issue. Aging populations and declining birth rates pose substantial risks to economic growth in many states. Immigration continues to be the most immediate solution to these shortages, simultaneously helping to bolster population numbers. In 2022, Canada's demographic growth was primarily driven by immigrants, who contributed to 96% of the increase in population. Similar trends are observed elsewhere; in 2024, Belgium saw its population grow by 66,093, largely due to immigration. New Zealand welcomed 118,835 new residents between September 2022 and September 2023. Moreover, in January 2024, Japan's foreign workforce surpassed 2 million for the first time, underscoring the global reliance on expatriates to meet labor demands.
Emphasis on skilled immigration
Many countries with restrictive immigration policies still prioritize economic immigration, especially targeting skilled and highly skilled foreigners. This trend is evident in nations such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Germany, and Canada. While there are avenues for immigration into less lucrative roles, particularly in high-demand sectors like hospitality and construction, the focus remains on attracting foreign professionals who are proficient in their fields.
In Germany, for instance, the immigration policies are more accommodating for non-European workers who may lack the requisite degrees but possess valuable professional experience. Additionally, opportunities for skill enhancement through training programs are increasingly available, underscoring the ongoing global shift towards specialization in immigration strategies.
Persistent labor shortages in key industries for 2025
In 2025, several critical sectors will continue to experience labor shortages, particularly in major expatriation destinations. The health, construction, and manufacturing industries are poised to remain under significant strain.
Global healthcare worker shortage: A critical challenge
The healthcare sector worldwide continues to face acute shortages, with a particularly pressing need for nurses, general practitioners, nursing assistants, and home care workers. For instance, Canada currently needs more than 60,000 nurses and anticipates a shortfall of 78,000 doctors by 2031. Switzerland may face a deficit of over 15,000 nurses by 2029. The United States has seen over 100,000 nurses leave the profession following the pandemic, and according to the American Bureau of Labor Statistics, it will require an additional 275,000 nurses by 2030. Specialties, including general medicine, internal medicine, surgery, and psychiatry, are also experiencing shortages. In Asia, countries like South Korea and Japan are seeing a lack of pediatricians and caregivers specializing in elderly care.
In response, various nations are actively competing in the international job market to address these shortages. French nurses, for example, are moving to Switzerland for better pay. Despite tightening its immigration policies, the United Kingdom continues to recruit foreign caregivers, even as more young British caregivers choose to work abroad. The United States remains reliant on healthcare workers from the Philippines, Mexico, and English-speaking African countries. Meanwhile, Canada, Germany, the UK, and France are recruiting caregivers from countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Benin, which are themselves experiencing a chronic shortage of healthcare professionals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly issued warnings about the ethical implications and long-term consequences of wealthier nations drawing healthcare workers from poorer countries, a practice sometimes referred to as "siphoning."
Acknowledging these concerns, Quebec announced last October that it would cease recruiting African nurses, highlighting the complex ethical landscape surrounding international healthcare recruitment.
A lack of skilled workers
There is a notable shortage of specialized construction workers, bodyworkers, mechanics, and specialized welders. This issue stems partly from the policies of various states that have historically prioritized prolonged academic pursuits and "white-collar" professions over apprenticeships and technical or manual trades. In contrast, Germany has effectively integrated apprenticeships into its education system, a strategy that has proven successful and now serves as an inspiration for France.
Top destinations for international students in 2025
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is setting its sights on attracting more international students in 2025 by offering the Golden Visa. As the leading Middle Eastern destination for international students, surpassing Qatar and Lebanon, the UAE boasts high-quality university programs at more affordable costs than those of major American and British institutions.
While Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom continue to be popular choices for international students, they face increasing competition due to their restrictive policies towards international students.
In contrast, South Korea and Japan each aim to welcome 300,000 international students by 2027. Taiwan is targeting an ambitious goal of 320,000 international students by 2030. In 2024, Germany saw a 3% increase in its international student population, welcoming 380,000 students, and is poised to attract even more in 2025. Moreover, the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Poland are emerging as appealing new options for students seeking educational opportunities.
Shift in preference: From high degrees to hands-on experience
In the United States, there's a noticeable trend that may intensify in 2025: Ivy League graduates are becoming less favored. Recruiters are increasingly skeptical of what they see as an elitist educational system, opting instead to hire graduates from less prestigious universities. Some employers are even bypassing academic credentials altogether, focusing on assessing candidates' actual skills. Criticism is often directed at Ivy League graduates for lacking practical skills, which are perceived to be masked by a powerful network that aids in career advancement.
This situation reflects a broader pattern of social reproduction, where generations continue to attend the same elite institutions. To counter this, companies are incorporating more extensive testing in their recruitment processes. Meanwhile, in Poland, there's a growing trend among young people who are eschewing prolonged academic pursuits in favor of shorter studies and manual trades, aligning their professional aspirations more closely with their personal values. This shift could inspire those considering a move abroad to rethink their educational and career strategies.
