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5 Dying Industries That Are Expected To Disappear in the Next 10 Years

Structural decline is already underway in each of these sectors.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Sept. 7, 2026

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Entire industries rarely disappear overnight, but technology, automation, and changing consumer habits can cause them to shrink surprisingly fast. Over the next decade, some once-common industries are expected to lose workers, customers, or relevance as newer alternatives take their place.

If you work in a declining industry, recognizing the shift early can give you time to learn new skills, explore a different career, or find ways to make extra money before opportunities become harder to find. Here are five industries facing significant changes over the next 10 years and what's driving their decline.

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Print newspaper and magazine publishing

U.S. newspaper advertising revenue has fallen roughly 81% from 2005 to 2020, and print advertising revenues collapsed 92% from $73.2 billion in 2000 to $6 billion in 2023. Since 2005, more than 3,500 newspaper outlets have closed, a 39% reduction, and over 270,000 newsroom jobs have been eliminated.

Digital platforms, social media, and search engines have absorbed the advertising revenue that funded print journalism for over a century. Google and Meta alone capture more than half of global digital advertising expenditures, revenue that once paid for print reporters, editors, and printing presses.

The print format itself is in terminal decline. Workers migrating out of this industry are finding adjacent roles in digital content production, podcasting, newsletter publishing, and data journalism.

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Cable television

Traditional pay-TV is experiencing what Cord Cutters News has called the cable industry's "most dramatic collapse in history." Pay-TV penetration peaked at roughly 88% of U.S. households in 2010 and has since fallen below 50% for the first time in history. As of 2025, only 34.4% of U.S. households subscribe to traditional pay-TV, according to Leichtman Research Group data.

The decline of cable is not the decline of television. Streaming platforms, connected TV advertising, and virtual pay-TV services are absorbing both the viewers and the advertising dollars. Workers in cable operations are pivoting toward broadband infrastructure, streaming platform operations, and digital advertising technology. The content does not disappear, the delivery mechanism does.

Department stores

The traditional department store sector is in structural contraction, with IBISWorld projecting revenue to decline at a rate of roughly 2.4% as the segment loses ground to e-commerce and off-price retail. The closures already underway illustrate the trajectory:

Macy's closed 66 stores in 2025 as part of a plan to shutter 150 locations total through 2026, reducing its store count from roughly 500 to 350.
Kohl's has posted 11 consecutive quarters of sales declines.
Saks Global filed for bankruptcy in early 2026.

The biggest reason for the decline is changing shopping habits. Consumers increasingly prefer online and discount retailers because they offer convenience, easy price comparisons, and often lower prices.

Department stores probably won't disappear completely, but the industry is getting smaller. The stores that survive may focus on premium shopping experiences in busy locations while expanding their online businesses. Traditional mall department stores are likely to face the most pressure.

Commercial printing

The commercial printing industry continues to shrink as businesses move from printed materials to digital advertising, documents, and marketing. IBISWorld reports industry revenue took a 4.6% drop in 2026. Higher paper and material costs are also putting pressure on printing companies.

Printing isn't disappearing completely. Packaging, labels, and specialty printing are holding up better because they can't easily be replaced by digital alternatives. Workers leaving traditional printing may also be able to transfer their skills to areas such as digital design, automated production, and packaging.

Landline and telephony

Traditional landline telephone service continues to decline as more households rely on cellphones and internet-based calling. As of 2026, 78% of households are wireless-only phone users. Phone companies are also replacing older copper-wire systems with fiber, mobile, and internet-based technology.

Telephone service itself isn't disappearing. The technology behind it is changing. Workers with experience maintaining traditional landlines may be able to move into growing areas such as fiber installation, broadband infrastructure, and mobile networks.

Where the demand is actually going

The pattern across these industries is simple: Demand hasn't disappeared, but the way people get these products and services has changed. People still read news, shop, use printed materials, and communicate by phone, but increasingly through newer technologies and platforms.

Workers can adapt by developing skills that transfer to growing industries. Digital content, data analysis, e-commerce, network technology, and digital advertising are all areas that can open new career opportunities.

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Bottom line

These five industries probably won't disappear completely within 10 years, but they could become much smaller and employ fewer people. At the same time, the broader economy is still expected to add about 5.2 million jobs from 2024 to 2034, with health care and social assistance projected to lead the growth.

If your industry is shrinking, pay attention to where new opportunities are emerging. Building transferable skills can help protect your income, open new career paths, and give you more opportunities to build real wealth as the economy changes.

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