Automation Threatens up to 70% of Jobs Globally: What Countries Can Resist

The working-age population in developed countries is projected to decline by an average of 7% over the next 25 years, while automation threatens to replace up to 70% of jobs in some regions. A new study by the iGaming software provider Digitain analyzed demographic and technological pressures across Europe to identify the countries most resilient to aging and automation.

The research looked at seven labor indicators that determine how well a country can handle an aging population and widespread job automation: human development index, digital skills, innovation capacity, talent competitiveness, projected workforce changes through 2050, old-age dependency ratios, and the share of jobs at high risk of being automated. Each country received a resilience score from 1 to 99, with higher numbers showing stronger capacity to maintain stability as populations age and technology advances.

Here's a look at the top 10 countries most resilient to aging and automation:

You can access the complete research findings here.

The United Kingdom is the most resilient country to aging and automation challenges. Here, just 30% of the local workforce faces automation risk, which is the lowest exposure in Europe. Britain's old-age dependency ratio also sits at 30%, meaning there are roughly 3 working-age people for every retiree. The working-age population itself is expected to decline by only 3% through 2050, a manageable shift that gives the country time to adapt.

Switzerland comes second. The country records the highest human development index globally at 0.97, reflecting world-class education, healthcare, and income levels that provide a foundation for adapting to change. Swiss citizens also show technological readiness, with 76% scoring high on digital skills.

Next up is Iceland, where 99% of the population demonstrates good digital skills, the highest rate worldwide. This near-universal digital competency means Icelanders can more easily shift into tech-driven jobs as automation spreads. The country also has a human development index of 0.972, among the best globally, and maintains a low old-age dependency ratio of 23%.

Luxembourg is also among the states expected to overcome automation challenges. The country scores 0.922 on human development and 67 on talent competitiveness, reflecting strong institutions and the appeal among skilled migrants to work here. About 68% of jobs are at risk of automation, but with an innovation score of 47, Luxembourg has more than enough resources to shift its economy.

Slovakia comes in sixth with the lowest automation risks. Here, only about 47% of jobs are expected to be displaced by AI, making Slovakia the least vulnerable to automation, second only to the United Kingdom. The country also shows a low dependency on its elderly population, at just 27%. About a third of locals possess good digital skills too, allowing them to adapt to technological changes more easily.

Next on the list is Denmark, where 56% of jobs can be automated. The country has a human development index of 0.962, among the highest globally, showing strong foundations in education and living standards that prepare people for these economic shifts. Denmark's 75% high digital skills rate also matches the UK's level, meaning three-quarters of the population is able to work with advanced technology.

Spain ranks eighth, with a high human development index of 0.918. The population is well prepared to adapt to economic changes, even as around 75% of jobs are expected to be affected by automation. About half of Spaniards have strong digital skills, providing a solid base for locals to transition into emerging sectors as the economy evolves.

Norway follows next. More than 73% of jobs face automation here, but Norway's human capital offsets these pressures. The country has the highest 0.97 human development index in Europe, tied with Switzerland and Iceland. Norway also scores 74 in the competitiveness index, attracting skilled migrant workers to help cope with a projected 5% decline in its population (lower than the European average).

Austria completes the top ten countries most resilient to aging and automation. The working-age population is estimated to decline by 8.3% here, while 73.4% of jobs face automation risk. The human development index of 0.93 also reflects functional institutions that can support economic transitions. Additionally, 57% of the Austrian population has high digital skills, a rate that gives Austria more tech-ready workers than most European nations.

"Up to 20% of European workers already express fear that AI will take their jobs,” says Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain. “But Europe's welfare systems give the continent an advantage here. Strong unemployment benefits and retraining programs mean people can transition to new work without falling into poverty. This matters because AI isn't just a threat: economists estimate it could add USD 2.6 trillion to European GDP by 2030. Some experts even think that due to Europe’s aging workforce, the continent needs automation to maintain productivity as fewer young people enter the job market.”