ABOUT THE GOAL

Economic growth should be a positive force for the whole planet.This is why we must make sure that financial progress creates decent and fulfilling jobs while not harming the environment. We must protect labour rights and once and for all put a stop to modern slavery and child labour. If we promote job creation with expanded access to banking and financial services, we can make sure that everybody gets the benefits of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Goal 8

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

12 Targets

The specific, measurable commitments set under this goal. Each one turns a big ambition into something countries, companies and communities can track.

Our Targets
12

319 Events

Gatherings, campaigns and meetings that bring people together around this goal, from local community days to global summits.

Upcoming events
319

38 Publications

Reports, research and guides that explain the progress made so far and what still needs to change.

Our publications
38

1927 Actions

Everyday steps people around the world have taken for this goal. Small actions add up when millions of people take them together.

Take action
1,927

The targets

8.1
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
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.
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 formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services.
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.
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.
8.6
PROMOTE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
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.
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.
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.
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.
8.a
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.
8.b
DEVELOP A GLOBAL YOUTH EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY
By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization.

How can you contribute to this goal


Action 01

Find a Goal 8 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: Mostafameraji, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action01 / 07
Action 02

Organize a mentoring program

Invite people with experience in a certain field to create a mentoring group that will help young people better prepare for their future jobs.

Photo: Airman 1st Class Emily Kenney, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action02 / 07
Action 03

Be a conscious consumer – if something is cheap it is likely to be hurting people or the planet in some way

Photo: Leeotong16s, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action03 / 07
Action 04

Know your rights at work

In order to access justice, knowing what you are entitled to will go a long way.

Photo: Waka77, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action04 / 07
Action 05

Read about workers in other countries and business practices

Talk to your colleagues about these issues.

Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action05 / 07
Action 06

Buy from local producers

Support local economic growth by choosing to buy from local producers and businesses.

Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action06 / 07
Action 07

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: Alexander Johmann from Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action07 / 07

How can you contribute to this goal

0107

Keep scrolling to see each action

01
17

Find a Goal 8 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: Mostafameraji, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
02
27

Organize a mentoring program

Invite people with experience in a certain field to create a mentoring group that will help young people better prepare for their future jobs.

Photo: Airman 1st Class Emily Kenney, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
03
37

Be a conscious consumer – if something is cheap it is likely to be hurting people or the planet in some way

Photo: Leeotong16s, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
04
47

Know your rights at work

In order to access justice, knowing what you are entitled to will go a long way.

Photo: Waka77, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
05
57

Read about workers in other countries and business practices

Talk to your colleagues about these issues.

Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
06
67

Buy from local producers

Support local economic growth by choosing to buy from local producers and businesses.

Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
07
77

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: Alexander Johmann from Vienna, Austria, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
News feed

SDG News

The latest stories about Goal 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, from news sources around the world.

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