16.6 Million People Work In Renewable Energy? - CleanTechnica

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that approximately 16.6 million people were directly or indirectly employed in the renewable energy sector in 2024, marking the highest global employment level recorded in this industry to date. This figure underscores that renewable energy is not solely an environmental initiative but also a significant economic driver supporting millions of jobs worldwide. The employment distribution across renewable sectors includes solar power (7.2 million jobs), biofuels (2.6 million), hydropower (2.3 million), wind power (1.9 million), and other sources such as solid biomass, solar heating/cooling, heat pumps, biogas, geothermal, and concentrating solar power. Geographically, China leads in renewable energy employment, followed by other Asian countries, the European Union, Brazil, India, and the United States. The report emphasizes that renewable energy jobs provide reasonable wages that support workers' livelihoods and contribute to broader economic activity. Furthermore, the transition to renewable energy requires ongoing education and