Inclusive Growth, Decent Work: Building a More Human-Centered Economy
March 2025
Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Decent Work and Economic Growth aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. As the world navigates post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and climate transition, this goal is more urgent—and more complex—than ever before.
Economic Growth: Recovery with Uneven Benefits
The global economy is slowly rebounding from recent shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical instability, and rising inflation. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global GDP is expected to grow by 3.1% in 2025. However, the benefits of this recovery are not being evenly distributed.
Low-income countries continue to face rising debt burdens, limited access to capital, and a slow return of tourism and investment. Meanwhile, wealth gaps have widened, and vulnerable populations—particularly youth, women, and informal workers—struggle to find stable employment.
“The numbers might be improving, but people’s lives are not automatically getting better,” said Guy Ryder, UN Under-Secretary-General for Policy. “We must ensure that growth is inclusive, job-rich, and anchored in human rights.”
The Challenge of Decent Work
Globally, over 2 billion people work in informal employment, with no job security, social protection, or safety nets. Many earn less than the poverty threshold, despite working full-time or more. Child labor, gender pay gaps, and unsafe working conditions remain widespread.
Decent work is about more than having a job—it’s about having fair wages, rights at work, safe conditions, and opportunities for advancement. Without these elements, economic growth can become a source of inequality, not progress.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) warns that unless policies address the quality—not just the quantity—of jobs, many people will remain trapped in cycles of poverty and exploitation.
Youth and the Future of Work
Young people today face a double burden: unemployment and underemployment. More than 40% of the world’s youth are either jobless or stuck in low-wage, unstable jobs, often unrelated to their skills or education.
At the same time, automation and artificial intelligence are transforming industries and reshaping the skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce. While these technologies offer opportunities for innovation, they also threaten to displace millions of workers if transition strategies aren’t put in place.
To support the future of work, countries are investing in vocational training, digital literacy, entrepreneurship programs, and green job creation—especially in sectors like clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and care work.
Empowering Women in the Workforce
Closing the gender gap in employment could boost global GDP by over $13 trillion by 2030, yet women still face lower pay, limited leadership roles, and higher rates of unpaid labor.
Investing in paid parental leave, affordable childcare, equal pay legislation, and workplace safety are essential strategies for building gender-inclusive economies. Countries like Iceland and Rwanda are setting strong examples, implementing policies that prioritize women’s participation in the economy.
Green and Digital Economies: Growth with Purpose
The transition to green and digital economies offers an opportunity to align growth with sustainability and resilience. From solar panel installation to circular design, green jobs are on the rise and offer pathways to decarbonize economies while creating livelihoods.
Similarly, the rise of digital entrepreneurship and remote work is allowing small businesses, freelancers, and creatives—especially in the Global South—to access global markets.
But these transitions must be accompanied by fair access to training, internet infrastructure, and social protection to avoid leaving anyone behind.
A New Economic Vision
As we move toward 2030, experts call for a shift in how we measure and pursue economic success. Beyond GDP, there’s a need to value well-being, equity, job quality, and environmental sustainability.
Initiatives such as the "Wellbeing Economy Alliance" and "Doughnut Economics" are gaining traction, challenging outdated models and placing human and planetary health at the center of economic planning.
Conclusion: Jobs, Justice, and a Just Transition
Achieving SDG 8 is not just about stimulating the economy—it’s about shaping a future where everyone can thrive. That means jobs with dignity, growth with equity, and innovation with purpose.
“Decent work is the bridge between economic growth and human development,” said Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO. “It is not just a goal—it is the foundation of a fair society.”
