Brazil was the third country that generated the most jobs in solar energy in the world in 2024, according to data from... Annual Renewable Energy and Jobs Report 2025, released this week by IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) in partnership with the ILO (International Labour Organization).
According to the survey, the country accounted for 323,8 jobs in the solar energy sector throughout the year, advancing one position in the global ranking and surpassing, for the first time, the United States in the number of jobs generated in the sector.
The report shows that China remains the leading global hub in the sector, accounting for 58% of the world's workforce, with 4,2 million jobs created in 2024. India comes in second place, with 384,9 new workers.
In addition to its performance in the solar segment, Brazil currently employs 1,4 million people in the renewable energy sector in general, also driven by the biofuel and hydroelectric power plant chains. According to IRENA, the country has favorable conditions to further expand its participation in the coming years.
Countries with the most solar energy jobs in 2024:
- China: 4,2 million
- India: 384,9
- Brazil: 323,8
- United States: 280,1
- Pakistan: 180
- Vietnam: 135
- Germany: 127
- Türkiye: 122
- Italy: 100
- Japan: 95 thousand
According to IRENA, Brazil's performance gains even more relevance because it occurs in a global scenario of more moderate growth in renewable energy employment. Despite the significant increase in installed capacity in 2024, the total number of jobs in the sector grew by only 2,3% compared to 2023, reflecting factors such as automation, reorganization of production chains, and geopolitical tensions.
Solar energy leads the generation of green jobs.
Even with a slower pace of job growth, solar energy maintained its global leadership, employing the largest number of workers among all renewable sources. In 2024, the sector employed 7,237 million people, equivalent to almost 44% of all global renewable energy jobs.
According to IRENA, among the five main renewable sources, only solar energy and biomass registered growth in the number of jobs in 2024, reinforcing the strategic role of these technologies in the energy transition.
Jobs in renewable energy by source in 2024
- Solar energy: 7,23 million
- Liquid biofuels: 2,63 million
- Hydropower: 2,26 million
- Wind energy: 1,92 million
- Biomass: 734 thousand
- Solar thermal: 591 thousand
- Heat pumps: 388
- Biogas: 332 thousand
- Other sources: 186 thousand
- Geothermal energy: 161 thousand
Challenges for the coming years
Despite solar energy's leading role in job creation, the report warns of structural challenges that could limit a more balanced expansion of the sector. These include the advance of automation, geopolitical and geoeconomic frictions, and uneven development across regions.
For IRENA and the ILO, ensuring that the energy transition is also a just transition will require public policies focused on workforce training, the inclusion of women and people with disabilities, and the strengthening of local production chains.
Nevertheless, the data reinforces that solar energy remains the main gateway to jobs in the global energy transition, with Brazil occupying a prominent position in this movement.
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