The future of jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean is being reshaped by three powerful forces: digitalization, automation, and climate change. Together, they are transforming industries, redefining skills, and creating both challenges and opportunities for workers and employers across the region.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 84% of employers in the region plan to upskill their workforce directly to meet rising demand for digital and tech talent. But closing the digital skills gap is only part of the story.
The Digital Divide
One of the biggest barriers to transformation is the digital divide. While 91% of households in OECD countries have internet access, only about two-thirds in Latin America and the Caribbean are connected—and the rates are even lower in rural areas.
This gap limits access to education, training, and digital jobs. Yet, it also signals enormous potential: broadening connectivity is expected to be one of the most transformative trends in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico over the next five years.
What Skills Will Be in Demand?
Employers are not only looking for coders, engineers, and data scientists. They’re also prioritizing soft skills that enable adaptability in a fast-changing world.
- Leadership & social influence
- Resilience, flexibility & agility
- Creative & critical thinking
In fact, more than 70% of employers expect demand for these skills to rise—often at levels above the global average.
At the same time, green jobs are on the rise. Roles such as sustainability specialists are expected to grow by nearly 30% by 2030, and renewable energy engineers are among the fastest-growing positions in countries like Colombia and Mexico.
Barriers to Change
While the demand for new skills is clear, many employers cite outdated organizational cultures and rigid regulations as the biggest obstacles. Roughly half of businesses in the region say these factors slow down transformation.
- In Colombia, 61% of firms point to inflexible regulations as a barrier.
- In Argentina, 57% say outdated policies are holding them back.
- Across the region, companies are calling for more flexible hiring and firing practices and greater public investment in training.
Technology and Automation
Another defining trend is the acceleration of automation and robotics. Over 80% of firms see automation as part of the solution to the talent crisis.
- In Mexico, 95% of companies expect AI to transform their operations.
- Robotics adoption is particularly strong in manufacturing, with imports of industrial robots rising 25% between 2017 and 2022.
But automation won’t eliminate the need for people. On the contrary, it will increase demand for managers, innovators, and problem-solvers who can oversee machines and drive transformation.
Attracting and Retaining Talent
The report makes one thing clear: talent is drawn to quality opportunities. Employers in the region are beginning to rethink what they offer employees in order to stay competitive.
- Argentina: 57% of businesses plan to redesign salary and compensation packages to protect workers’ purchasing power.
- Colombia: Companies are focusing on employee wellness, career progression, and reskilling opportunities.
Offering ongoing learning and development is not just a perk—it’s becoming a necessity for attracting and retaining skilled workers.
What’s Next?
The next five years will be crucial for Latin America and the Caribbean. With the right investments in connectivity, training, and policy reform, the region has a unique opportunity to leap forward.
Digitalization and green growth can power a more competitive, resilient workforce—but only if employers, governments, and educators work together to close the skills gap and build inclusive pathways into the jobs of tomorrow.
✨ The takeaway: The future of work in Latin America and the Caribbean won’t look like the present. It will be more digital, more climate-conscious, and more dependent on creativity, resilience, and leadership. The question is whether the region can move fast enough to prepare its people for the transformation already underway.
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