The nature of job anxiety has changed. It is no longer tied only to layoffs or poor appraisals. A quieter, more persistent concern has taken its place; the feeling of being employed, yet gradually falling behind.
A new global study cited by India Today, the 2026 ETS Human Progress Report, puts a name to this: FOBO, or Fear of Becoming Obsolete. According to the report, 58 per cent of workers worldwide experience this anxiety, reflecting a workplace where change is constant and often unforgiving.
Also Read | Biggest creator ever? Twitch streamer claims MrBeast’s $2B annual earnings
A workforce in constant transition
The report, based on responses from over 32,000 people across 18 countries, highlights how widespread disruption has become. About 61 per cent of respondents said they worry their current roles could be affected by shifting skills, emerging technologies, or evolving work structures.
This concern is not abstract. Nearly 67 per cent of workers reported experiencing at least one major workplace change in the past year, from new digital tools to altered responsibilities and shifting priorities.
The result is a growing sense of fatigue. Employees are expected to deliver consistent performance even as the definition of their roles continues to change.
Gen Z feels it most
Interestingly, the anxiety is most pronounced among younger workers. The report finds that 63 per cent of Gen Z respondents fear becoming obsolete, the highest among all age groups.
Often described as adaptable and future-ready, this generation appears to be under the most pressure to keep pace with constant change.
The pressure to keep up
Workers are actively trying to stay relevant, but the pace of transformation remains a challenge. Among the key barriers cited were learning new skills as job requirements evolve (44 per cent), adapting to new technologies (42 per cent), and preparing for future industry shifts (37 per cent).
Also Read | 'Take Rs 25K for now…': From layoff to overload, why this developer's story is striking a chord
In effect, employees are not just performing their current roles; they are also preparing for what those roles might become.
Uncertainty in the age of AI
Artificial intelligence has intensified these concerns. Workers estimate that 32 per cent of their tasks already involve AI, a figure expected to rise to 52 per cent within two years.
At the same time, 60 per cent feel pressured to adopt AI tools before they are ready, while 65 per cent use them mainly to stay competitive.
