New ILO Report: Circular Economy Already Powers Up to 142 Million Jobs Worldwide Hero Subtitle:
The first global baseline shows 5–5.8% of the workforce is already circular—now let’s scale decent work and inclusion.
Landmark Report: Circular Economy Already Powers Up to 142 Million Jobs Worldwide
The International Labour Organization (ILO), Circle Economy and the World Bank Group have released the first global baseline on jobs in the circular economy—revealing that 121–142 million people (about 5–5.8% of global employment, excluding agriculture) are already driving circularity across repair, recycling, manufacturing, construction and urban transit. The report calls for evidence‑based policies that expand decent work, formalize informal jobs, and accelerate gender inclusion, with women currently accounting for 26% of the circular workforce. Asia and the Pacific lead in absolute numbers (77.6 million), while Africa counts 12.9 million jobs with powerful opportunities ahead.
Key Highlights
- Scale & Share: 121–142M circular jobs; 5–5.8% of global employment (excl. agriculture).
- Where the Jobs Are: Repair & maintenance (~46% of circular jobs) dominate; manufacturing, waste/sewerage, and urban transit are major contributors.
- Inclusion First: 52% of circular employment is informal—policy action is vital to formalize and protect workers, especially women.
- Africa’s Opportunity: The African Development Bank endorses the report’s insights on circularity as a driver of inclusive growth and job creation across sectors.
INI champions a just, job‑rich circular transition. Explore the report and talk to us about skills, social protection, and formalization pathways tailored to Africa’s context