A study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) suggested the renewable energy industry employs 10.3 million people globally. The report also indicated that China, Brazil, the U.S., India, Germany, and Japan are the world's largest renewable energy employers. The countries represent more than 70 percent of such jobs.

Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General, IRENA was quoted in media stating, "Renewable energy has become the support of low-carbon economic growth for governments all over the world, a fact reflected by the growing number of jobs created in the sector."

The research found that the solar industry with the production of photovoltaic panels accounted for the largest number of renewable jobs in 2017, by employing 3.4 million people.  Two-thirds of those jobs were placed in China, which is the top producer of panels worldwide. Sixty percent, i.e., four-fifths of all the renewable energy jobs are in Asia.

The data from the analysis also reflected that the decarbonization of the global energy system could evolve the global economy and create up to 28 million jobs in the sector by 2050.

Amin also stated that the data emphasized an increasingly regionalized picture, highlighting that in countries where attractive policies exist, the economic, social and environmental benefits of renewable energy are most evident.