BETTER BUSINESS BETTER WORLD

2.6 The impact on jobs
These 60 Global Goals opportunities could together create more than 380 million
new jobs by 2030, more than 10 percent of the forecast size of the labour force
(Exhibit 8). Creating jobs might not immediately register as a benefit to an individual
business. But these jobs will be created at a time when the outlook for employment
is uncertain (see Section 5.1). Creating decent new jobs in line with the Global Goals
will also be in line with government strategies, enhancing companies’ reputation and
ensuring their licence to operate.
"Around 70 million jobs can come from the opportunity in
affordable housing."
Almost one-fifth of the total employment potential – around 70 million jobs – comes
from just one opportunity: affordable housing. Given annual investment of over US$1
trillion, we estimate this opportunity alone could create 20 million jobs in China, 13
million jobs across Africa and 8 million jobs in India.
The majority of jobs – almost 90 percent – will be created in developing countries,
including 85 million jobs (23 percent) in Africa and 220 million jobs (59 percent) in
developing Asia. This is because the need for capital investment is much greater in
low- and middle-income countries, especially in affordable housing and other critical
infrastructure, and because the job creation impact of investment is much larger
given the higher labour intensity of developing economies.
Photo credit:
Flickr / Sambaphi
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