Up to 800 million workers worldwide could lose their jobs due to industrial automation and the introduction of robots by 2030, more than one-fifth of the global workforce today.
The data is contained in a new report from McKinsey & Co's research arm, covering 46 countries and more than 800 occupations.
The consulting company said Wednesday that the impact will affect both developed and developing countries. Machine tool operators, fast food workers, and back office workers are among the most affected if automation is rapidly deployed in the workplace.
Number of workers replaced by robots in China, India, USA, Japan, Mexico and Germany by 2030.
Even if the adoption of robotics is slower, automation could replace about 400 million workers looking for new jobs over the next 13 years, according to a McKinsey Institute study.
The good news for those laid off is that new jobs will be created for them, although in many cases this will require new skills to be learned. According to the report, they may be offered jobs such as caring for the elderly, a technology specialist, and even a gardener.
According to the expert, "we all have to change and learn to do new things."
Sergey Lukavsky
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