In 2025, there were estimated to be approximately *** billion people employed worldwide, compared to **** billion people in 1991 - an increase of around *** billion people. There was a noticeable fall in global employment between 2019 and 2020, when the number of employed people fell from due to the sudden economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Formal vs. Informal employment globally Worldwide, there is a large gap between the informally and formally employed. Most informally employed workers reside in the Global South, especially Africa and Southeast Asia. Moreover, men are slightly more likely to be informally employed than women. The majority of informal work, nearly ** percent, is within the agricultural sector, with domestic work and construction following behind. Women’s employment As the number of employees has risen globally, so has the number of employed women. Overall, care roles such as nursing and midwifery have the highest shares of female employees globally. Moreover, while the gender pay gap has shrunk over time, it still exists. As of 2024, the uncontrolled gender pay gap was ****, meaning women made, on average, ** cents per every dollar earned by men.

Seventy percent of the global workforce will be shared equally by Generation X and Generation Y by 2020, with forecasts suggesting that Generation Z will make up nearly a ******* of the workforce as they start to enter adulthood. Employment rates in industrialized countries In member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), employment rates range between ** and ** percent of the working age population. Northern European countries such as Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark have some of the highest employment rates, along with New Zealand and Japan. Italy, Greece, and Turkey had the lowest employment rates in OECD countries. The staffing industry Recruitment firms are now well-established in many industrialized countries. The global staffing industry was estimated to have revenues of *** billion U.S. dollars in 2017, with firms from the United States generating a ** percent share of that figure. Firms from Japan also held a significant market share and this highlights the growth in the staffing industry across Asia, with the Chinese market expecting revenues to increase by around ** percent in 2019.

Since 2000, the estimated global employment-to-population ratio decreased more among youth between 15 and 24 years than among the rest of the adult population. Among the former group, the employment rate fell from ** percent in 2000 to an estimated ** percent by 2025, likely explained by an increasing number of young adults going into higher education. The estimated global employment rate in 2025 was ** percent.

Employment in industry (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in World was reported at 23.69 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. World - Employment in industry (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

In 2019, a Statista study on labor shortages showed that in 2020, ** percent of the global workforce were working in low-skilled occupations, with this share decreasing to ** percent by 2030.

Employment: NF: IF: Libraries & Archives data was reported at 29.300 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 29.100 Person th for Feb 2025. Employment: NF: IF: Libraries & Archives data is updated monthly, averaging 19.800 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.400 Person th in Oct 2022 and a record low of 11.000 Person th in Feb 1990. Employment: NF: IF: Libraries & Archives data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll.

Analytical thinking is the most important core skill for employers across the globe in 2025. Despite the advances in AI it is still vital that workers are capable of exercising their intellect when performing tasks.

Employment: NF: sa: Over-the-Month Change: 2nd data was reported at 185.000 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 117.000 Person th for Feb 2025. Employment: NF: sa: Over-the-Month Change: 2nd data is updated monthly, averaging 167.000 Person th from Jan 1979 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 555 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,791.000 Person th in Jun 2020 and a record low of -20,687.000 Person th in Apr 2020. Employment: NF: sa: Over-the-Month Change: 2nd data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll: Seasonally Adjusted.

From 2000 to 2024, the global employment-to-population ratio decreased steadily, with a significant drop in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic. The ratio was estimated to reach **** percent in 2025. North America was the region with the highest employment-to-population ratio worldwide in 2023.

Employment: NF: sa: RT: FH: Home Furnishings: Floor Covering data was reported at 72.000 Person th in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 71.400 Person th for Feb 2025. Employment: NF: sa: RT: FH: Home Furnishings: Floor Covering data is updated monthly, averaging 86.800 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 104.000 Person th in Apr 2000 and a record low of 56.100 Person th in Apr 2020. Employment: NF: sa: RT: FH: Home Furnishings: Floor Covering data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll: Seasonally Adjusted.

In 2023, there were estimated to be approximately *** million people employed worldwide in agriculture, compared to *** billion people in services, and *** million people in industry. Since 1991, the number of people working within the services sector has more than doubled.

Employment: NF: PW: EH: Misc Outpatient Care Center data was reported at 158.800 Person th in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 158.700 Person th for Apr 2018. Employment: NF: PW: EH: Misc Outpatient Care Center data is updated monthly, averaging 75.800 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to May 2018, with 341 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 158.800 Person th in May 2018 and a record low of 48.900 Person th in Jan 1990. Employment: NF: PW: EH: Misc Outpatient Care Center data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G030: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Employment: Production Worker: Non Farm.

Employment: NF: sa: RT: HP: Pharmacies & Drug Retailers data was reported at 697.600 Person th in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 699.100 Person th for Feb 2025. Employment: NF: sa: RT: HP: Pharmacies & Drug Retailers data is updated monthly, averaging 713.600 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 763.600 Person th in Jan 2008 and a record low of 598.400 Person th in Mar 1993. Employment: NF: sa: RT: HP: Pharmacies & Drug Retailers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G060: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll: Seasonally Adjusted.

Over the past decades, more and more women have entered the labor market around the world. Today, over 40 percent of the global workforce are women. However, only one third are in senior roles, and less than 30 percent work within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Global Gender Index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria. In 2025, the leading country was Iceland .

Employment: NF: sa: RT: Furniture, H Furnish, Electro & Appliance data was reported at 792.900 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 795.300 Person th for Mar 2025. Employment: NF: sa: RT: Furniture, H Furnish, Electro & Appliance data is updated monthly, averaging 1,001.250 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 424 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,223.300 Person th in Jan 2001 and a record low of 682.800 Person th in May 2020. Employment: NF: sa: RT: Furniture, H Furnish, Electro & Appliance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll: Seasonally Adjusted.

Employment: NF: sa: PW: EH: Office of Mental Health Physician data was reported at 43.500 Person th in May 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 43.500 Person th for Apr 2018. Employment: NF: sa: PW: EH: Office of Mental Health Physician data is updated monthly, averaging 33.300 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to May 2018, with 341 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 43.500 Person th in May 2018 and a record low of 21.100 Person th in Jan 1990. Employment: NF: sa: PW: EH: Office of Mental Health Physician data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G031: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Employment: Production Worker: Non FarmSeasonally Adjusted.

Employment: NF: sa: RT: GS: Fuel Dealers data was reported at 70.000 Person th in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 70.500 Person th for Feb 2025. Employment: NF: sa: RT: GS: Fuel Dealers data is updated monthly, averaging 87.700 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 124.700 Person th in Jan 1990 and a record low of 68.400 Person th in Jan 2024. Employment: NF: sa: RT: GS: Fuel Dealers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G060: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll: Seasonally Adjusted.

Employment: NF: sa: PW: EH: Other Ambulatory Health Care Services data was reported at 273.300 Person th in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 273.000 Person th for Apr 2018. Employment: NF: sa: PW: EH: Other Ambulatory Health Care Services data is updated monthly, averaging 177.100 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to May 2018, with 341 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 273.300 Person th in May 2018 and a record low of 83.000 Person th in Jan 1990. Employment: NF: sa: PW: EH: Other Ambulatory Health Care Services data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G031: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Employment: Production Worker: Non FarmSeasonally Adjusted.

United States Employment: NF: PW: WT: Medical Equipment data was reported at 162.100 Person th in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 161.600 Person th for Apr 2018. United States Employment: NF: PW: WT: Medical Equipment data is updated monthly, averaging 130.500 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to May 2018, with 341 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 164.000 Person th in Jan 2018 and a record low of 73.100 Person th in Mar 1990. United States Employment: NF: PW: WT: Medical Equipment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G030: Current Employment Statistics Survey: Employment: Production Worker: Non Farm.

Employment: NF: RT: GM: WC: All Others data was reported at 678.300 Person th in Nov 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 656.900 Person th for Oct 2024. Employment: NF: RT: GM: WC: All Others data is updated monthly, averaging 379.200 Person th from Jan 1990 (Median) to Nov 2024, with 419 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 678.300 Person th in Nov 2024 and a record low of 306.700 Person th in Mar 1998. Employment: NF: RT: GM: WC: All Others data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G056: Current Employment Statistics: Employment: Non Farm Payroll.