Global employment in the renewable energy sector rose to 16.6 million jobs by the end of 2024, marking a modest increase of 2.3 percent from the previous year, according to a joint report by International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Labor Organization.
The annual review said the growth in jobs lagged behind record expansion in renewable energy capacity, as geopolitical tensions, geo-economic pressures and increasing automation continued to shape labor markets worldwide. The report highlighted persistent global imbalances, with job creation concentrated in a small number of countries.
China remained the dominant force in renewable energy employment, accounting for an estimated 7.3 million jobs, or 44 percent of the global total, driven by large-scale manufacturing and highly integrated supply chains. The European Union followed with 1.8 million jobs, unchanged from 2023, while Brazil recorded 1.4 million. Employment also rose in India and the United States, reaching about 1.3 million and 1.1 million jobs respectively.
Solar photovoltaic energy remained the largest employer, providing 7.3 million jobs globally, with Asia accounting for three-quarters of the workforce. Liquid biofuels ranked second with 2.6 million jobs, followed by hydropower at 2.3 million and wind energy at 1.9 million.
The Director-General of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, said that while renewable energy deployment is accelerating, governments must ensure that people remain central to energy and climate strategies by supporting skills development, local manufacturing and inclusive labour policies.
The report also stressed the need for a more inclusive and equitable energy transition, warning that women and people with disabilities remain under-represented in the renewable workforce. Gilbert F. Houngbo said inclusive labor markets are essential for resilient economies and sustainable development, calling for accessible training systems, inclusive hiring practices and supportive workplaces.
The findings underline the challenge facing governments: ensuring that the global shift to clean energy delivers not only technological progress, but also broad-based economic and social benefits as countries work toward tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
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