ILO Says 58% of Global Workers Hold Informal Jobs Across All Sectors and Education Levels
Updated
Updated · ilostat.ilo.org · May 11
ILO Says 58% of Global Workers Hold Informal Jobs Across All Sectors and Education Levels
4 articles · Updated · ilostat.ilo.org · May 11
Nearly 58% of workers worldwide are in informal jobs, and the ILO says the problem spans every employment status, sector, occupation and education level rather than a narrow slice of labor markets.
Data from 20 countries show the highest exposure among contributing family workers and dependent contractors, while employees are better protected but still often work informally, including inside formal businesses and households.
Agriculture accounts for about one-third of informal jobs globally, with wholesale and retail trade at 14%, manufacturing 12% and construction 11%; even the public sector shows informality rates above 50% in some countries.
Workers with less than basic education often face informality rates of 90% to 100%, but advanced education is no guarantee, and informal work is also linked to underemployment, part-time work and temporary contracts.
The ILO said improved statistical standards adopted in 2023 should help governments target a systemic barrier to decent work and Sustainable Development Goal 8.
With nearly 60% of global labor working off the books, is the concept of a 'formal economy' itself becoming obsolete?
As digital platforms create more casual jobs, are we entering a new, tech-driven era of global informality?
If traditional social insurance fails informal workers, what new models can provide security without crippling small businesses?
The Global Informal Workforce in 2026: Scale, Drivers, and Policy Pathways for Decent Work
Overview
By 2026, around 2.1 billion workers worldwide will be informally employed, highlighting the scale and persistence of informal work in the global economy. These workers often face major challenges, such as limited access to social protection, restricted rights, unsafe workplaces, and little job security. This widespread precarity underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy interventions to improve working conditions and encourage formal employment. The International Labour Organization’s latest report reveals that, despite stable employment numbers, job quality is not improving, and inequalities are widening, making it crucial for governments and stakeholders to act now.