What Is SDG 8?
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 — also known as SDG 8 —encourages decent work and economic growth. This post only focuses on goal 8. To learn about the other SDGs, click here.
What is SDG 8?
SDG 8 encourages decent work and economic growth. The UN outlines this goal as a way to focus on “promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.” Goal 8 also encourages decent work and economic growth for persons with disabilities. As part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, read this overview of how goal 8 includes and seeks to support those who are disabled.
Why is SDG 8 important?
Decent work and economic growth are important for many reasons.
- Drives progress
- Creates decent jobs for all
- Improves living standards
The three major points outlined above are important because it champions global progress and aims to support and elevate each country and region, allowing everyone to live more supported lives with access to human rights, and more.
- Worldwide, 160 million children (63 million girls and 97 million boys) were engaged in child labor at the beginning of 2020.
- Globally, 9 million additional children are at risk of being pushed into child labor by the end of 2022, compared to 2020, as a result of rising poverty driven by the pandemic.
How does goal 8 work and measure success?
SDG 8 is broken down into twelve targets as a way to pace and work towards achieving this goal. The UN official graphics are included below and typed out below the image block.
The goal 8 targets
Target 8.1 sustainable economic growth.
Target 8.2 diversify, innovate, and upgrade for economic productivity.
Target 8.3 promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises.
Target 8.4 improve resource efficiency in consumption and production.
Target 8.5 full employment and decent work with equal pay.
Target 8.6 promote youth employment, education, and training.
Target 8.7 end modern slavery, trafficking, and child labor.
Target 8.8 protect labor rights and promote safe working environments.
Target 8.9 promote beneficial and sustainable tourism.
Target 8.10 universal access to banking, insurance, and financial services.
Target 8A increase aid for trade support.
Target 8B develop a global youth employment strategy.
Read how the Sustainable Business Guide commits to SDG 8, here.
Sources:
The United Nations. Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. Available at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/economic-growth/ (Accessed: 5 June 2023)
