A Global Baseline for Circular Economy Jobs

A First Worldwide Estimate

A new joint report by Circle Economy, the ILO and the World Bank, in partnership with UN-PAGE, presents the first global picture of employment in the circular economy. The study finds that between 121 and 142 million people, or roughly 5 to 5.8 percent of global employment outside agriculture, work in activities such as repair, recycling, second-hand trade and waste management. Circularity is shown to be a significant source of jobs that support both livelihoods and environmental goals.

The Global South at the Center

Most circular economy jobs are located in the Global South. The Americas (6.4 percent) and Asia and the Pacific (5.8 percent) report the highest shares, reflecting strong traditions of repair and reuse as well as resource efficiency driven by necessity. However, more than 74 million circular workers operate in the informal economy, often without legal protection, stable income or safe working environments. The technical annex notes that informal circular work remains underrepresented in official datasets, despite being essential to circular systems.

Three sectors currently dominate circular employment: repair and maintenance, manufacturing and waste management. In contrast, sectors that will play a central role in advancing circularity in the next decade, including construction and mining, show very low levels of circular practices. The methodology classifies these as partially circular sectors with limited use of secondary materials and low contributions to material recovery. This signals a major opportunity for targeted policy action in areas where circularity is still emerging.

A New Approach to Measuring Circular Work

A key achievement of the report is its new global measurement framework. It groups sectors into fully circular and partially circular categories, integrates employment data from 177 countries with global input output tables and material flow analysis, and includes informal work for the first time. This approach provides a coherent baseline that countries can use to assess progress and identify policy priorities.

Policy Priorities for a Just Transition

Building on the findings, the report encourages governments to expand circular public procurement, invest in high potential sectors, support sustainable enterprises and strengthen skills development. It highlights the importance of reaching youth, women and informal workers and calls for improved labour rights, occupational safety and broader social protection.

Strengthening national data systems is another critical recommendation. Many countries still lack reliable information on waste flows, secondary material use and employment in informal or necessity driven circular activities. Better data will allow for more precise monitoring and more effective policy design.

Putting Workers at the Center

The central message is that millions of people already keep materials in use and reduce waste through their daily work. Ensuring that these workers have access to safe, protected and decent employment is essential for a just transition. As countries expand circular economy strategies, the workers who sustain circularity today must be placed at the center of future policies.

Read the full report here.