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1.2 billion young people in emerging markets will reach working age over the next 10 years. To support this population growth and set this group on a path to prosperity, we are working with countries to create more and better jobs. This includes building and strengthening sectors with vast job potential such as infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, health care, tourism, and local manufacturing.

Here's a glimpse at data that puts into perspective the critical need for jobs in the years ahead and the impact of these sectors.

For more data on economic policies and growth,  or . 

Working-Age Population Increases

Between 1960 and 2020, the working-age population (15-64) grew substantially in all regions across the world. The fastest growth took place in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, which multiplied their working-age populations several times over. East Asia and Pacific also saw strong gains, while Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa, and Europe and Central Asia experienced steady but more moderate increases. North America had the smallest relative population growth over this time period.

Limited Access to Wage Employment

In 2023, self-employment made up the overwhelming majority of total employment in Sub-Saharan Africa (78 percent) and South Asia (72 percent), reflecting high levels of informal labor and limited access to wage employment. East Asia and Pacific followed with 44 percent while in Latin America and the Caribbean 36 percent of people were self-employed.

Agriculture Share Drops, But Vital for Jobs

From 1995 to 2023, agriculture¡¯s contribution to GDP didn¡¯t follow a consistent trend across regions. While it declined markedly in South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa, and more gradually in Europe and Central Asia and North America, it fluctuated in Sub-Saharan Africa, ending slightly below 1995 levels. In East Asia and Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, the share also oscillated but remained comparatively high. Although agriculture¡¯s weight in GDP has declined or remained stagnant in many regions, the sector still absorbs large portions of the labor force¡ªhighlighting the need to create new employment opportunities while improving agribusiness efficiency to preserve productive jobs and ensure food security.

Importance of Manufacturing Jobs

From 2004 to 2021, the share of manufacturing in GDP remained relatively stable in upper middle-income countries, consistently above 22 percent, while high-income countries saw a gradual decline, falling below 14 percent by the end of the period. In contrast, low-income countries experienced a steady increase in manufacturing¡¯s role, reaching over 11 percent by 2020 before slightly declining in 2021. Lower middle-income countries showed little variation, maintaining levels around 15 percent, reflecting more limited structural change. These trends highlight differing industrial trajectories across income groups, with manufacturing still playing a central role in upper middle-income economies.

Greater Need for Health Services Access

The health sector can be a major job creator, with health care jobs making up 20 percent of total employment in high-income countries. Yet the sector only accounts for 5 to 6 percent of jobs in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Health care services need to be expanded in many countries, as seen for example in physician availability and access. Physician availability in 2020 was clearly linked to country income level: high-income countries had far greater access than low- or lower-middle-income countries, reflecting better-resourced health systems. By region, Europe, Central Asia, and North America showed the highest physician density, while Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest, underscoring persistent regional inequalities in health service provision. Tackling these widespread employment gaps can not only lead to more health sector jobs but it can also have a multiplier effect across industries.