G20 South Africa Sherpa Meeting

The ILO and the G20

28 January 2024

The G20 is a forum for international economic cooperation. It brings together some of the world’s largest economies to discuss major international economic issues and strengthen coordination on other issues of mutual interest. Its members represent around 85 per cent of the world's GDP and more than 75 per cent of world trade. Together, they account for around two-thirds of the world's population.

The G20 is made up of 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union.

The ILO is a key knowledge partner in several working groups, providing technical inputs to the G20 on policies that promote decent work and advance social justice. It conducts analysis and provides policy recommendations that support multilateral discussions on the labour and social dimension of economic and environmental policies. In so doing, the ILO fulfils its Constitutional imperative to examine and consider all international economic and financial policies in light of the fundamental objective of social justice.

Facts and Figures

Labour force participation rate

The estimated labour force participation rate in G20 countries is 61.5 % in 2025.

Gender gap in labour force participation

The estimated gender difference in the labour force participation rate in G20 countries is 22.2 percentage points in 2025.

Unemployment rate

The estimated unemployment rate in G20 countries is 4.9 % in 2025.

Jobs gap rate

The estimated jobs gap rate in G20 countries is 10.2 % in 2025.

NEET rate

The estimated share of youth not in education, employment or training (NEET) in G20 countries is 17.6 % in 2025.

Informal employment rate

The estimated informal employment rate in G20 countries is 56.9 % in 2025.

The ILO and the G20 2025 South Africa Presidency

The theme for South Africa's G20 Presidency is "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability". It is made up of 15 working groups in the Sherpa Track and seven technical groups in the Finance Track.

The South African G20 Presidency has established three time-bound Task Forces that bring together the Finance and Sherpa Tracks:

  • the Task Force Inclusive Economic Growth, Industrialisation, Employment and Reduced Inequality
  • the Task Force Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation for Sustainable Development
  • the Task Force Food Security

Most recent publications

Women at Work in G20 countries: Progress and policy action in 2024

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, George, South Africa

Women at Work in G20 countries: Progress and policy action in 2024

Youth at Work in G20 countries: Progress and policy action in 2024

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, George, South Africa

Youth at Work in G20 countries: Progress and policy action in 2024

Key Resource

G20 Social Policy Portal: Social Protection and Inclusion

Portal

G20 Social Policy Portal: Social Protection and Inclusion

News and articles

ILO welcomes G20 targets on youth and gender equality
G20 flags, South Africa, 2025

ILO welcomes G20 targets on youth and gender equality

Keynote address by the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo
G20 flags, South Africa, 2025

G20 Meeting of Ministers of Labour and Employment (LEMM), South Africa

Keynote address by the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo

Contact us

Contact [email protected] for more information.