Goal 8 is about promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth and creating jobs and decent work for all.

Multiple crises are putting the global economy under serious threat. Global real GDP per capita growth is expected to slow in 2023, and as economic conditions become increasingly difficult, more workers are turning to informal work.

Globally, labor productivity has increased and unemployment has declined. However, further progress is needed to increase employment opportunities, especially for youth, reduce informal employment and labor market inequality (especially with regard to the gender wage gap), promote safe working environments, and improve access to financial services to ensure sustainability and inclusive economic growth.

In 2022, the global unemployment rate dropped significantly, falling from a peak of 6.6 percent in 2020 to 5.4 percent, as economies began to recover from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is lower than the pre-pandemic level of 5.5 percent in 2019.