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Agenda 2030

Sustainable development goals
8

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full employment and decent work for all

Key Targets
  • 1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances.
  • 2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and technological upgrading.
  • 3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and decent job creation.
  • 4 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.
  • 5 By 2025, end child labour in all its forms.
Key Facts
About 160 million children are still engaged in child labour.
Around 2 billion people work informally, without social protection.
The global unemployment rate was 5.3% in 2023.
Youth are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.
Global Progress

The world built a strong foundation for economic growth and decent work between 2000 and 2019. Then the COVID-19 pandemic caused the worst labor market disruption since World War II, and recovery has been deeply uneven — widening gaps between formal and informal workers, youth and adults, and richer and poorer nations.

What We've Accomplished

  • Global real GDP per capita grew from roughly $5,700 in 2000 to over $11,500 in 2019.
  • Global unemployment fell from 6.6% in 2000 to a historic low of 5.0% by 2019.
  • Child labour declined from 246 million in 2000 to 160 million in 2020 — a 35% reduction.
  • Labor productivity in developing countries grew more than twice as fast as in high-income countries from 2000 to 2015.
  • Germany's dual apprenticeship system became a global model keeping youth unemployment below 5%.

2030 Outlook

At Risk

The pandemic wiped out 255 million full-time equivalent jobs in 2020. Child labour rose for the first time in two decades during COVID-19. Youth unemployment, informality, and rising cost-of-living crises continue to widen gaps globally. AI and automation are disrupting labour markets faster than education systems can adapt. A significant acceleration in inclusive growth policies is needed to meet 2030 targets.

Leading Nations

Germany Among the world's lowest youth unemployment rates; globally admired apprenticeship and vocational training systems.
Japan Near-full employment model; one of the lowest structural unemployment rates globally sustained over decades.
Netherlands Pioneered flexible-yet-protected labour market reforms; among the world's highest labour participation rates.
South Korea Transformed from poverty to high-income economy in 30 years; strong labour rights protections.
Switzerland Dual education system combining apprenticeships with academic tracks keeps youth unemployment below 3%.