Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Objective: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
The Targets
Why it matters: The 2017 global unemployment rate is 5.6% – this equals 192.7 million people who are unemployed. 13% of this is made up of unemployed youths (aged 15 to 24) – a figure that is nearly three times higher than the rate for adults. In addition to this, 2017 statistics show that around 300 million workers are classed as “workers in extreme poverty”, living on less than US$1.90 per day. Despite the fact that the global economy is said to be recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, we continue to see figures on slower growth, widening inequalities, and not enough jobs to keep up with a growing labour force. Entrepreneurship and job creation are effective measures to eradicate these statistics yet need to see significant growth and support in order to be able to do so.
Target 8.1: Sustainable economic growth
By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
Target 8.2: Diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic productivity
Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
Target 8.3: Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
Target 8.4: Improve resource efficiency in consumption and production
Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead.
Target 8.5: Full employment and decent work with equal pay
By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
Target 8.6: Promote youth employment, education and training
By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
Target 8.7: End modern slavery, trafficking and child labour
Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe working environments
Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
Target 8.9: Promote beneficial and sustainable tourism
By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
Target 8.10: Universal access to banking, insurance and financial services
Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all.
Target 8A: Increase aid for trade support
Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries.
Target 8B: Develop a global youth employment strategy
By 2020, develop and operationalise a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organisation.