Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing workplaces around the world, but public expectations about its impact on employment vary significantly from country to country.

According to the figures highlighted in a 2026 international comparison, Australia and South Korea record the highest share among the listed countries of people who believe artificial intelligence will lead to fewer jobs over the next 20 years, at 76% each.

The United States follows at 71%, while Greece records 68%. Canada and the United Kingdom are both at 61%, followed by France at 60% and Poland at 59%.

The figures indicate that concerns about technological displacement are widespread across developed and emerging economies. However, expectations differ considerably depending on the country and its population’s perception of how rapidly AI will transform workplaces.

The comparison also shows that expectations of job reductions are considerably stronger than expectations of job creation. Across 37 countries, the median share of respondents expecting AI to reduce employment is reported at 46%, while only 9% expect AI to result in more jobs.

At the lower end of the reported range, the Philippines has the smallest share, with 26% saying AI could lead to fewer jobs over the next two decades. This wide gap between countries demonstrates that perceptions of AI’s employment consequences are far from uniform.

Artificial intelligence can affect employment through several different mechanisms. Businesses may use AI to automate repetitive administrative work, analyze large amounts of information, provide customer support or assist with technical processes. At the same time, new technologies can create demand for new occupations, skills and services.

The eventual effect on employment is therefore likely to depend on how businesses adopt AI and how workers, educational institutions and governments respond to technological change.

For employees, the transition could increase demand for skills that complement AI systems. Analytical thinking, technological literacy, creativity, communication and the ability to work alongside automated tools may become increasingly important in many occupations.

For employers, AI can potentially improve productivity and reduce the time required for certain tasks. However, decisions about workforce restructuring can also have significant consequences for workers and communities, particularly when automation affects occupations with large numbers of employees.

The figures should therefore be understood as public expectations about the future rather than forecasts of actual job losses. A high percentage in a country does not mean that the same percentage of jobs will disappear.

The debate over AI and employment is likely to become more important as increasingly capable systems enter workplaces. The central question is not simply how many tasks machines can perform, but how economies adapt when human workers and AI systems increasingly share the same working environment.

The country-level differences provide an important snapshot of public sentiment surrounding that transition. They also highlight the challenge facing policymakers and businesses: ensuring that technological progress is accompanied by opportunities for workers to acquire new skills and participate in the changing economy.