Global Renewable Energy Jobs Grow Very Slowly Even with Record Installations

Global Renewable Energy Jobs Grow Very Slowly Even with Record Installations

January 19, 2026

Global employment in renewable energy barely improved in 2024 despite the world adding more clean energy capacity than ever before, according to a new joint report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). The Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2025 shows that jobs in the sector increased by only 2.3 per cent, reaching about 16.6 million worldwide, marking the slowest growth on record even as capacity expansion hit new highs.

The report highlights a growing gap between rapid technology deployment and job creation, driven by geopolitical tensions, automation, and supply chain shifts that are limiting employment gains despite strong investment in renewable power. China remains the dominant employer with around 7.3 million renewable energy jobs, representing nearly half of the global total. Other regions saw much smaller changes; the European Union’s workforce stayed roughly the same at 1.8 million, while Brazil reached 1.4 million jobs and employment in India and the United States increased only modestly to approximately 1.3 million and 1.1 million, respectively.

By technology type, solar photovoltaics continued to employ the most people, followed by liquid biofuels, hydropower, and wind energy. The report underscores that while solar-driven growth remains strong, the broader workforce must adapt as automation and efficiency improvements change labor needs across the industry.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera stressed that governments should focus on policies that build local manufacturing capacity, support skills development, and address regional imbalances to ensure the energy transition delivers broad economic benefits. The report also calls for inclusive labor strategies to ensure women and people with disabilities are better represented in renewable energy jobs.