A new European study has revealed that the United Kingdom is the most resilient country against the growing threats of job automation and population aging, with only 30% of its workforce facing replacement by artificial intelligence. The report by iGaming software provider Digitain ranked 40 European nations on their ability to adapt to automation and demographic change.
Key Highlights:
- The UK leads Europe in automation resilience with only 30% of workers at risk.
- Switzerland ranks second, attracting top global talent and maintaining the world’s highest human development index.
- Iceland achieves a 99% digital literacy rate, making it the most tech-competent nation.
- Europe’s working-age population is expected to shrink by 7% in the next 25 years.
- Up to 70% of jobs in some regions could be replaced by AI.
According to the study, seven indicators were analyzed to determine each nation’s ability to sustain economic stability in the face of automation and aging populations. These include human development, digital skills, innovation, talent competitiveness, workforce projections, old-age dependency ratios, and automation risk percentages. Each country received a resilience score between 1 and 99.
The United Kingdom emerged first with a resilience score of 99. The study attributes the country’s strong performance to its balanced demographics, advanced digital workforce, and moderate old-age dependency ratio of 30%, meaning there are roughly three working-age citizens per retiree. The UK’s working-age population is projected to decline by just 3% by 2050, giving it more time than most European nations to adapt to automation.
Switzerland followed closely with a resilience score of 85. It recorded the world’s highest human development index (0.97) and one of the strongest innovation and talent competitiveness scores in Europe. About 76% of Swiss citizens possess advanced digital skills, making the nation well-positioned to integrate AI technologies into the workplace.
In third place, Iceland demonstrated near-universal digital literacy, with 99% of its population exhibiting high computer competency. The study described this as a “digital advantage” that will allow Icelanders to transition smoothly into technology-driven jobs as automation expands.
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Luxembourg ranked fifth overall, with strong scores in human development (0.922) and talent competitiveness (67). Despite 68% of its jobs being susceptible to automation, its strong innovation culture and openness to global talent were identified as buffers against potential disruptions.
Slovakia, which came sixth, showed one of the lowest automation threats after the UK, with only 47% of jobs likely to be replaced by AI. The country also has a relatively young population and manageable dependency ratios, which contribute to its resilience.
Denmark and Spain ranked seventh and eighth respectively, both maintaining strong human development scores and digital competencies. Denmark’s 75% high-skill rate and robust welfare system position it for a smooth digital transition, while Spain’s innovation capacity and 51% digitally skilled population make it adaptable despite high automation exposure.
Norway and Austria completed the top ten, each leveraging strong education systems, social welfare networks, and innovation ecosystems to offset the risks of automation and aging.
Speaking on the findings, Ani Mkrtchyan, Chief Sales Officer at Digitain, said Europe’s social infrastructure gives it a competitive advantage in managing technological shifts. “Up to 20% of European workers already fear that AI will take their jobs,” Mkrtchyan noted. “But Europe’s welfare systems, retraining programs, and innovation capacity make it uniquely equipped to adapt. In fact, economists project AI could add over $2.6 trillion to Europe’s GDP by 2030.”
The study concludes that while automation may disrupt traditional industries, it also offers an opportunity for Europe to strengthen its workforce through digital education, policy reforms, and innovation investment. Nations that adapt early, like the UK, Switzerland, and Iceland are likely to lead the next industrial transformation.
