In 2023, there were estimated to be approximately 914 million people employed worldwide in agriculture, compared to 1.7 billion people in services, and 816 million people in industry. Since 1991, the number of people working within the services sector has more than doubled.
Number of employees worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by broad sector
(in millions)
The source adds the following information regarding methodology: "The employed comprise all persons of working age who, during a specified brief period, were in one of the following categories: a) paid employment (whether at work or with a job but not at work); or b) self-employment (whether at work or with an enterprise but not at work). The series is part of the ILO modelled estimates and is harmonized to account for differences in national data and scope of coverage, collection and tabulation methodologies as well as for other country-specific factors."
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ILO. (December 9, 2024). Number of employees worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by broad sector (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1259198/global-employment-figures-by-sector/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
ILO. "Number of employees worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by broad sector (in millions)." Chart. December 9, 2024. Statista. Accessed February 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1259198/global-employment-figures-by-sector/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
ILO. (2024). Number of employees worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by broad sector (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1259198/global-employment-figures-by-sector/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
ILO. "Number of Employees Worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by Broad Sector (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Dec 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1259198/global-employment-figures-by-sector/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
ILO, Number of employees worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by broad sector (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1259198/global-employment-figures-by-sector/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed (last visited February 09, 2025)
Number of employees worldwide from 1991 to 2023, by broad sector (in millions) [Graph], ILO, December 9, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1259198/global-employment-figures-by-sector/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed