The 26 Most In-Demand Skills

World Economic Forum

Every year, in January, intellectuals, politicians, and industry leaders gather in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss the economy’s trends and the labor market. In 2024, these are the 26 most sought-after skills on the market.

1. Analytical Thinking.

We start with a cognitive skill. Being able to think analytically means thinking scientifically: identifying problems, searching for evidence, analyzing data, and deeply reflecting.

2. Creative Thinking.

Another cognitive skill among the most in-demand. Creative thinking doesn’t mean being an artist or expressing oneself in every color and form possible. It means exercising lateral thinking, challenging the status quo, and replacing what no longer works.

3. Resilience, Flexibility, and “Agility”.

Now, we move to a personal skill related to behavior and mood. All three words refer to the ability to adapt to change, embrace novelty, and approach new tasks or problems with enthusiasm.

4. Motivation.

We all expected this one to be in the top 26, right?

5. Curiosity and Continuous Learning.

At Wibo, we couldn’t agree more. We’ve been working for years to spread the idea that learning every day is fundamental. It doesn’t require studying for two hours a day; in reality, just 10 minutes a day can bring long-term results.

6. Digital Literacy

This is the first technical skill in the list. It simply means knowing how to use basic tools, like Google tools, and being able to perform essential tasks on computers and mobile devices. (Not leaving your microphone on during calls is part of this skill 😂).

7. Reliability.

We return to a moral skill among the most in-demand.

8. Empathy and Active Listening.

We know that not all your managers have been empathetic with you, but sometimes, to make the world a better place, we must start with ourselves!

9. Leadership.

Being able to influence people without being authoritarian, without micromanaging, and without exerting control. Influencing people by helping them understand the "whys."

10. Quality Control.

This is the first of the most in-demand skills that is purely managerial. For more details, check out the ISO 9000 standard from the International Organization for Standardization.

11. System Thinking.

Like the first two skills, this is a cognitive skill. It means thinking holistically, considering all variables at play: individuals, needs, society, resources, and so on.

12. Talent Management.

Another managerial skill among the most in-demand.

13. Customer Service.

The first skill related to customer retention. We all know how crucial it is to be helped by those who provide us with a product or service when we need it!

14. Resource Management.

Resource management involves not just financial and material resources but, especially, human resources.

15. AI and Big Data.

This refers not just to knowing how to use ChatGPT but having a broader understanding of how generative artificial intelligence works and how to provide it with the right data to get satisfactory results. It’s no surprise this is one of the most in-demand skills.

16. Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.

Another cognitive skill among the most in-demand. Reading, writing, and arithmetic don’t just mean knowing how to do them—they also involve being accustomed to doing them daily and effectively.

17. Design and User Experience.

Everything is an experience. From unboxing a new laptop to grocery shopping, from using an app to waiting in line at the post office. Every company and institution works—some more, some less—to improve the user experience.

18. Multilingualism.

Knowing at least one other language besides your own and English. It’s among the most in-demand skills, although many multilingual people fear that AI will soon excel in this area.

19. Mentoring.

Passing on knowledge to others who are learning. This is essentially mentoring.

20. Programming.

If you’ve noticed, few of the most in-demand skills are hard skills. This is definitely one of them.

21. Marketing & Communication Tools.

I’m not joking—my local deli even started making TikTok videos!

22. Network and Cybersecurity.

Ranked 22nd among the most in-demand skills, knowing how to handle cybersecurity and ensure systems are secure, making it difficult for hackers or viruses to damage months, years, or decades of work.

23. Environmental stewardship.

This is hard to translate directly, but it’s similar to being a "Sustainability Steward," someone who has studied the field and knows what the company should or should not do to meet its sustainability goals.

24. Physical Dexterity and Physical Endurance.

It took until the 24th position to find a manual and physical skill among the most in-demand skills.

25. Global Citizenship.

This umbrella term encompasses all the social, political, environmental, and economic issues that ensure the well-being of citizens worldwide.

26. Sensory Processing.

The ability to process sensory stimuli, especially useful in manual jobs. The last of the most in-demand skills.

Conclusion.

We’ve seen what the most in-demand skills in the labor market are. This trend is expected to last until 2027, so it’s not just a passing analysis. Of course, you don’t need to have ALL the listed skills, or even most of them. However, skills like creative thinking, analytical thinking, systems thinking, and digital literacy would be good to have.

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