Renewable energy jobs hit 16.2m, study reveals
A recent report has shown a significant increase in employment opportunities in the renewable energy industry, reaching 16.2 million in 2023—the highest annual growth rate ever recorded.
The "Renewable Energy and Jobs—Annual Review 2024," published by the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Labour Organization, underscores an 18% rise from 13.7 million jobs in 2022, fueled by the expansion of renewable energy capacity and manufacturing of equipment.
However, the growth is not evenly spread worldwide. China leads the industry, holding around 7.4 million renewable energy jobs, which is 46% of the total. The European Union follows with 1.8 million jobs, while Brazil has 1.56 million, and the United States and India each have nearly one million.
The solar photovoltaics sector continues to be the most significant contributor, providing support for 7.2 million jobs globally, with China accounting for 4.6 million of those. Substantial Chinese investments have also helped Southeast Asia become a major export center for solar technology.
Liquid biofuels rank second in job creation, with Brazil taking the lead, contributing one-third of the sector's 2.8 million jobs, followed by Indonesia. In contrast, the hydropower sector experienced a decrease in employment, falling 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 mainly dominated by China and Europe, which together represent 73% of the 1.5 million jobs in that field. Despite the increasing global demand for renewable energy, Africa continues to receive a disproportionately small portion of investments, resulting in just 324,000 renewable jobs in 2023.
The report highlights the potential of decentralized renewable energy systems in addressing energy shortages in regions such as Africa, particularly in remote areas. It calls for the removal of obstacles for women in the renewable energy sector to promote local economies and energy fairness.
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, emphasized the necessity for global cooperation to improve financial support and capacity building in regions where renewable job creation is lagging. Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of ILO, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of investing in education and training to prepare workers for the shift to clean energy roles.
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