Renewable jobs reach 16.6 million
Solar PV leads employment, yet growth slows amid automation, regional imbalances, and workforce skill gaps.
Image for illustrative purposes
Global employment in renewable energy reached 16.6 million jobs in 2024, setting a new record. However, overall growth slowed to 2.3%, reflecting the combined impact of geopolitical tensions, rising automation, and uneven policy support across regions.
Employment remains highly concentrated, with the top five regions holding over 85 % of jobs. China continues to dominate, accounting for 44 % of global renewable energy employment, primarily in solar PV manufacturing. Other leading regions include the Rest of Asia (2.47 million), the European Union (1.8 million), Brazil (1.38 million), and India (1.28 million).
Solar photovoltaics (PV) drives most new jobs, employing 7.2 million people in 2024. Biofuels follow with 2.6 million jobs, hydropower 2.3 million, and wind 1.9 million. While hydropower shows little growth, biofuels remain heavily tied to seasonal agricultural supply chains. China alone accounts for 58 % of global solar PV employment, with the top ten solar PV employers worldwide generating 82 % of all sector jobs.
Despite overall gains, women remain underrepresented, holding 32 % of full-time renewable roles and just 19 % of senior management positions. Increasing diversity and inclusion is critical to fully leverage talent and support the global energy transition.
Meeting future workforce demands will require targeted education, reskilling, and upskilling programmes to equip workers for evolving technologies and roles across construction, operations, maintenance, and manufacturing.
The renewable energy sector’s expansion demonstrates that while jobs are growing, regional disparities, automation, and skill shortages could constrain the pace and equity of future employment opportunities.
Source: IRENA
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