What can Germany learn?
Job growth is the best way out of poverty and should be a key focus of German development cooperation. To achieve this, national governments must also prioritize jobs and thus economic development and entrepreneurship. Those that do so can become particularly rewarding partner countries.
Jobs should also play a role in related policy areas such as foreign trade. This includes de-risking private-sector investments—for example, so that German companies can also create some of the jobs while benefiting from the international division of labor and emerging markets. The development of reliable infrastructure, especially in the energy sector, and the strengthening of partner countries' state capacity and education and training systems must play a central role. In all of this, it is important to remember that a side job above the absolute poverty line, a so-called gig job, is exactly that: a first step out of poverty. And a step towards a more equitable distribution and more big jobs, i.e., jobs with financial security.
Highlights 2025
The employment gap
The world is missing over 350 million jobs
Since 2000, more than half a billion jobs have been created in the Global South. Nevertheless, there is still a global shortage of over 350 million jobs, but this figure is set to decline sharply almost everywhere in the future. Looking ahead, it is important to create jobs that not only serve as a step out of absolute poverty, but also provide a good livelihood for employees and their families.
2 min
Success Stories
What has Latin America and Asia done right?
In recent decades, countries in Asia and Latin America in particular have succeeded in massively reducing their employment gaps. This success was not down to chance, but rather to institutional conditions and a number of key growth drivers.
3 min
The champions of tomorrow
Where will the next 100 million jobs be created?
By 2030, more than 100 million new jobs are expected to be created worldwide—almost 20 million per year. With around 75 million, most of these will come from Africa, driven by massive population growth and economic growth. In aging Europe, on the other hand, employment will fall by 7 million if unemployment rates remain stable.
3 min
Focus on impact
Which countries can make the biggest jumps with support?
Development aid often focuses on the biggest problems, and rightly so. The Global Jobs Index reveals the greatest opportunities: Which countries have managed to significantly close the employment gap, and which ones could create the most jobs in the future with a little support? A look at the index reveals both familiar candidates and some surprises.
3 min