SDG Target #8.5

SDG #8 is to “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

Within SDG #8 are 12 targets, of which we here focus on Target 8.5:

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

Target 8.5 has two indicators:

  • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of employees, by sex, age, occupation and persons with disabilities

  • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities  

Only a couple dozen countries have data for employees’ average hourly earnings. The highest among them was Switzerland. By sex, the greatest difference was in South Korea, where the average hourly earnings of male employees of $23.96 and $15.91 for women.

The global unemployment rate as of 2022 was 5.3%, with gender differences only a fractional difference.