BUS604: Innovation and Sustainability

These 60 Global Goals opportunities could together create more than 380 million new jobs by 2030, more than 10 percent of the forecast size of the labor force (Exhibit 8). Creating jobs might not immediately register as a benefit to an individual business. But these jobs will be created at a time when the outlook for employment is uncertain (see Section 5.1). Creating decent new jobs in line with the Global Goals will also be in line with government strategies, enhancing companies' reputation and ensuring their license to operate. 

Almost one-fifth of the total employment potential – around 70 million jobs – comes from just one opportunity: affordable housing. Given annual investment of over US$1 trillion, we estimate this opportunity alone could create 20 million jobs in China, 13 million jobs across Africa, and 8 million jobs in India. 

The majority of jobs – almost 90 percent – will be created in developing countries, including 85 million jobs (23 percent) in Africa and 220 million jobs (59 percent) in developing Asia. This is because the need for capital investment is much greater in low- and middle-income countries, especially in affordable housing and other critical infrastructure, and because the job creation impact of investment is much larger given the higher labor intensity of developing economies.

Exhibit 8: 

Almost 380 million jobs could be created by Global Goals business opportunities in the four systems

Total jobs created by SDG business opportunities by region and system; In millions