China has emerged as the undisputed leader in renewable energy employment, accounting for nearly half of all global jobs in the sector according to the latest international data. The Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2025, jointly published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), reveals that China maintained approximately 7.3 million positions within the renewable energy workforce in 2024—representing a commanding 44% share of the worldwide total.
The comprehensive report indicates that global renewable employment experienced modest growth of just 2.3% last year, reaching 16.6 million jobs. This slowdown occurs amid increasing geographic disparities in clean energy job distribution, with China’s dominance particularly evident in solar photovoltaic manufacturing and large-scale deployment. Solar PV technology remains the largest employment sector within renewables, generating 7.3 million positions globally, of which China contributes approximately 4.2 million.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera emphasized that while clean energy deployment continues to expand rapidly, policy frameworks must increasingly focus on human capital development alongside technological advancement. “Governments must put people at the centre of their energy and climate objectives through trade and industrial policies that drive investment, build domestic capacity, and develop a skilled workforce along the supply chain,” he stated.
The report highlights Africa’s particular situation as a region with both tremendous renewable energy potential and pressing developmental needs. With the world’s fastest-growing population and urgent demand for reliable electricity, African nations view renewable energy expansion as both an economic opportunity and development imperative. Although Africa’s current share of renewable jobs remains modest compared to Asia and Europe, the continent recognizes the critical importance of building domestic capabilities—from specialized skills training to local component assembly.
International cooperation frameworks, particularly the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), are identified as potential catalysts for accelerating technology transfer and workforce readiness across African economies. Such partnerships could help harness Africa’s abundant renewable resources and youthful labor force while addressing the geographic imbalances highlighted in the global employment data.