Sustainable Development Goal 8
"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all"
Linkage with other SDGs
Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all is essential for fostering prosperity and addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability.
The following direct and indirect interlinkages exist between SDG 8 and all other SDGs:
SDG 1 - No Poverty: Decent work is a direct pathway out of poverty, providing individuals and families with stable incomes and livelihoods. Inclusive economic growth ensures that the benefits of development reach marginalised communities. Example: Ethiopia’s industrial parks have created employment opportunities for thousands, helping families escape poverty.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: Economic growth supports agricultural development by providing farmers with resources, technology, and market access. Decent work in the agricultural sector ensures fair wages and food security for rural populations. Example: In India, government-led programs have linked rural agricultural workers with buyers, improving income and reducing hunger.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Economic growth enhances healthcare systems by increasing funding and expanding access to services. Decent work ensures workplace health and safety, reducing occupational hazards. Example: Workplace health programs in Indonesia have improved worker productivity and reduced health-related absenteeism.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Economic growth creates opportunities for investment in education infrastructure, while decent work drives demand for skilled labor, incentivising education. Example: Vocational training programs in South Africa prepare youth for employment, reducing unemployment and improving educational outcomes.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Gender-equal workplaces empower women economically, closing income gaps and fostering inclusion. Women’s participation in economic activities strengthens growth and innovation. Example: Rwanda’s policies promoting gender equity in the workforce have increased women’s representation in leadership roles and created more inclusive economic growth.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Economic growth facilitates investments in water infrastructure and sanitation services, which are essential for worker health and productivity. Example: Infrastructure development projects in Kenya have improved access to clean water, enhancing public health and economic activity.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Economic growth drives investment in energy infrastructure, ensuring access to affordable and clean energy. Reliable energy supports industries and creates jobs in renewable energy sectors. Example: Morocco’s renewable energy sector has created thousands of jobs while contributing to economic growth.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Economic growth promotes industrial development, infrastructure expansion, and innovation. Decent work drives demand for skilled labor, fostering sustainable industries. Example: China’s Belt and Road Initiative has created jobs and improved infrastructure across partner countries.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Inclusive economic growth and decent work opportunities reduce income disparities and ensure equitable development across regions and social groups. Example: Social protection programs in Brazil have provided economic security for marginalised populations, narrowing income inequality.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Economic growth enables investments in sustainable urban development, including affordable housing and efficient transportation systems. Decent work fosters inclusive communities by reducing unemployment. Example: Urban renewal projects in South Korea have revitalised cities while creating jobs for local populations.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Economic growth drives innovation in sustainable production systems and fosters responsible consumption patterns. Decent work ensures ethical labor practices in supply chains. Example: Green manufacturing initiatives in Germany have reduced resource waste and created sustainable job opportunities.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Economic growth supports investments in climate adaptation and mitigation projects, while green jobs contribute to a sustainable transition. Decent work ensures livelihoods are not compromised during this transition. Example: Renewable energy projects in Costa Rica have created green jobs while achieving near-zero carbon emissions.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Decent work in marine industries ensures sustainable fishing practices, protecting biodiversity and maintaining economic opportunities for coastal communities. Example: Community-led marine conservation projects in the Philippines have preserved fish stocks while supporting local economies.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: Economic growth supports reforestation and conservation efforts, creating jobs in sustainable land management. Example: Agroforestry projects in Tanzania have provided income for rural populations while restoring degraded ecosystems.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Economic growth fosters stability by reducing unemployment and addressing grievances that fuel conflict. Decent work ensures social cohesion and strengthens trust in institutions. Example: Job creation programs in post-conflict Liberia have helped rebuild communities and foster peace.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Achieving decent work and economic growth requires international collaboration on trade, technology, and investment. Partnerships amplify progress by connecting regions and creating shared opportunities. Example: The International Labour Organisation’s global partnerships promote decent work policies and standards across industries.
Consquence of failing to reach targets
If decent work and inclusive economic growth are not achieved, the effects reverberate across other SDGs:
- Persistent poverty (SDG 1) as lack of stable income traps families in economic hardship.
- Stagnant health and education systems (SDGs 3 and 4) due to limited economic resources for infrastructure and services.
- Rising inequalities (SDG 10) as marginalized populations remain excluded from economic opportunities.
- Slower climate action (SDG 13) as green jobs and sustainable industries fail to expand.
Decent work and economic growth are not just a goal—they are a driving force behind sustainable development, empowering individuals and nations to thrive.
SDG 8: Targets, Indicators, Progress and Data
Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita.
After a sharp 3.9% decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy rebounded with a 5.3% increase in real GDP per capita in 2021. However, growth slowed to 2.2% in 2022 and is forecasted to slow down further to 1.0% in 2023, before picking up slightly to 1.8% and 1.5% in 2024 and 2025, respectively. For LDCs, real GDP growth dropped from 5.1% in 2019 to 0.7% in 2020, then recovered to 3.8% in 2021 and 4.6% in 2022. Growth is expected to rise to 4.4% and 5.5% in 2023 and 2024. However, it's projected to slow down to 4.9% in 2025.
Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person.
Productivity growth stagnated in 2022 and 2023, remaining below 0.5%. This sluggish trend stands in stark contrast to the pre-pandemic period of 2015 to 2019, where the rate exceeded 1.5%. The pandemic sharply interrupted this trend, with 2020 registering a marked decline as output fell faster than employment—though this was fully offset by a short-lived rebound of productivity during 2021. The recent slow productivity growth poses a risk to economic development and living standards, given its crucial role as a driver of growth.
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex.
In 2023, over 2 billion workers globally were employed informally, accounting for 58.0% of the global workforce. This figure is expected to see a marginal decrease to 57.8% in 2024. The decline of the informality rate by less than a percentage point since 2015 is far too slow for widespread formalisation to occur anytime soon.
Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead.
8.4.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
8.4.2: Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP.
Not reported on UN SDG website
By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities.
8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
In 2023, the global unemployment rate not only rebounded, dipping below its pre-pandemic level, but also achieved a historic low since 2000, settling at 5.1%. However, projections indicate a slight increase in global unemployment in 2024, with approximately 2 million more individuals unemployed, leading to a 5.2% unemployment rate. Women and youth continue to experience higher unemployment rates compared to their male and adult counterparts worldwide and across most regions.
By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
8.6.1: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training.
In 2023, the global NEET (not in education, employment, or training) rate for young people was 21.7%, showing a significant decrease since 2020 and nearing the 2015 baseline of 21.8%. This rate is expected to persist through 2025. There is a critical need to intensify initiatives aimed at reducing NEET rates among youth, especially focusing on young women. Globally, young women are still more than twice as likely as young men to be NEET.
Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5‑17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age.
The latest estimates indicate that the number of children in child labour rose to 160 million worldwide at the beginning of 2020 – an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years. This translates to almost 1 in 10 of all children in child labour worldwide.
Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
8.8.1: Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status.
8.8.2: Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status.
- Globally, many workers face significant risks in their workplaces, and work accidents remain prevalent. In 11 out of 93 countries with data, more than 10 work-related fatalities per 100,000 workers were reported. Additionally, in half of the 96 countries with available data, the number of non-fatal injuries per 100,000 workers exceeded 641.
- From 2015 to 2022, the global average level of national compliance with labor rights declined by 7%. This decline is observed across both developed and developing countries and has become more pronounced in all regions since 2020. Recent data indicates that ongoing crises have led to an increase in violations of labour rights in practice and, alarmingly, by violations of fundamental civil liberties of workers, employers, and their organisations.
By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
8.9.1: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate.
In 2022, tourism rebounded to 82% of its 2019 level, contributing 3.1% to global GDP. Lifted travel restrictions and pent-up demand drove this recovery, but regional differences persist. Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand and SIDS still faced challenges, with tourism economic performance at 68% and 43% of pre-pandemic levels respectively.
Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all.
8.10.1: (a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults.
8.10.2: Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider.
Since 2015, global access to finance has increased, but recent years show changes in access methods. The number of ATMs per 100,000 adults declined from 64.6 in 2015 to 63.9 in 2022, while commercial bank branches dropped from 15.0 to 13.7 per 100,000 adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digital financial access. This reflects a global decline in bank branches, except in Central Asia, Southern Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries.
8.A.1: Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements.
The Global Findex 2021 reports that despite 76% of adults having a financial account, 41% lack financial resilience. Financial resilience means being unable to access extra funds equivalent to 5% of their country's gross national income within 30 days of a financial shock like a health emergency or job loss. This varies by region, with South Asia being the least financially resilient (only 32%) and East Asia the most (77%).
By 2020, develop and operationalise a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization.
8.B.1: Existence of a developed and operationalised national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy.
In 2023, less than half of the reporting countries (36 out of 87) had implemented a national strategy for youth employment. About one-third of these countries possess a strategy but lack clear evidence of its implementation, while one-fifth are in the process of developing one.