A new report has revealed a remarkable surge in jobs within the renewable energy sector, reaching 16.2 million in 2023—the highest annual growth rate recorded.
The “Renewable Energy and Jobs—Annual Review 2024,” released by the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Labour Organization, highlights an 18% increase from 13.7 million jobs in 2022, driven by expanding renewable energy capacity and equipment manufacturing.
However, the growth is not evenly distributed globally. China dominates the sector, accounting for approximately 7.4 million renewable energy jobs, or 46% of the total. The European Union follows with 1.8 million jobs, while Brazil boasts 1.56 million, and the United States and India each approach one million.
The solar photovoltaics sector remains the strongest contributor, supporting 7.2 million jobs globally, with China responsible for 4.6 million of those. Significant Chinese investments have also helped Southeast Asia emerge as a key export hub for solar technology.
Liquid biofuels rank second in job creation, with Brazil leading the way, contributing one-third of the sector’s 2.8 million jobs, followed by Indonesia. In contrast, the hydropower sector saw a decline in employment, dropping from 2.5 million in 2022 to 2.3 million, with Brazil, China, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam being the largest employers.
The wind sector is primarily led by China and Europe, which collectively account for 73% of the 1.5 million jobs in that field. Despite the growing global demand for renewable energy, Africa continues to receive a disproportionately small share of investments, translating into just 324,000 renewable jobs in 2023.
The report emphasizes the potential for decentralized renewable energy systems to address energy gaps in regions like Africa, particularly in remote areas. It advocates for removing barriers for women in the renewable energy sector to promote local economies and energy equity.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera stressed the need for global collaboration to enhance financial support and capacity building in regions lagging in renewable job creation. ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of investing in education and training to prepare workers for the transition to clean energy roles.
