All publications: rural employment + rural workers

STRENGTHEN2

Employment impact assessment of the Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme, Malawi

This report is an employment impact assessment of the Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme (BVIS) in Malawi, focusing on the effects of improved irrigation following the construction of the Bwanje Valley Dam in 2019.

Working Paper 160

Foreign direct investment, global value chains and labour markets

This publication examines the global employment impact of foreign direct investment and multinational enterprises, estimating that foreign affiliates supported around 125 million jobs worldwide by 2021. By combining firm-level data with ILO labour...

World of Work series

Employment and Social Trends 2026

The Employment and Social Trends 2026 report examines the state of global labour markets, highlighting stable headline employment alongside stalled progress in job quality and widening inequalities. The report analyses productivity, demographic and...

Executive summary

Decent work and informality in the agricultural sector in Latin America (2019-2023) - Executive Summary

The executive summary highlights that the agricultural sector continues to be characterised by high levels of informality and structural gaps, despite its importance for rural employment and food security. It puts forward key recommendations to...

Working Paper 155

From Organic Waste to Agrifood Value: Appropriate Technologies for Circular Economy and Job Creation

Discover how innovative organic waste solutions can drive green job creation and strengthen agrifood systems in Africa. This working paper highlights practical technologies and policy actions that turn waste into economic and environmental value.

Assessment of drivers and constraints to occupational safety and health improvement in the sugar cane supply chain in Colombia

This ILO study analyzes the factors that promote and hinder occupational safety and health across every link of the sugarcane supply chain in Colombia and proposes intervention models to strengthen it.

Sector selection

Selecting sectors for rural employment promotion in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Identifying and prioritizing potential sectors for the REP Programme in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Market systems analysis

Commercializing livestock production in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

A market systems analysis of the livestock sector for the Rural Employment Promotion Programme in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

ILO brief

Elevating the potential of rural youth: Paths to Decent Jobs and Sustainable Futures

The ILO policy brief addresses the urgent need to create decent jobs for rural youth by examining both the demand and supply sides of the rural labour market. It highlights the specific barriers rural youth face, such as limited access to skills...

ILO Working paper 107

Employment and wage disparities between rural and urban areas

This study uses household survey data from 58 countries around the world to compare the labour market outcomes of rural and urban workers, taking into account the specific socio-demographic characteristics of rural populations. It also provides an...

Financial education for farmers and rural workers in Côte d’Ivoire – Trainee's booklet (in French)

This booklet, available in French, is mainly intended for rural workers in Côte d’Ivoire who wish to improve their financial management. It presents basic tools related to income, expenses, budgeting, and the use of financial services such as...

Quick Facts - ILO’s strategies and actions for promoting decent work in the rural economy (with a focus on rural employment)

This short document presents a visual set of quick facts that summarizes the Independent high-level evaluation of the ILO’s strategies and actions for promoting decent work in the rural economy (with a focus on rural employment) (2016-23)

Independent high-level evaluation of ILO's strategies and actions for promoting decent work in the rural economy (with a focus on rural...

This independent high-level evaluation provides insight into the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the ILO’s strategies and actions for promoting decent work in the rural economy.

Full Report

A forest of opportunities. Living and working conditions in Argentina's forestry sector

Project brief

Rural Employment Promotion in Lao People's Democratic Republic

This project aims to support the Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic as well as the employer’s and worker’s organizations in implementing the National Rural Employment Strategy which provides a comprehensive national framework for the...

Occupational safety and health in the future of forestry work

Labour market

Promoting productive employment and skills development in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

The report presents the situation and needs for skills development and labour market interventions in the Bangsamoro region.

ILO Working paper 89

What has been driving work-to-work transitions in the emerging world? – A comparative study of Indonesia and South Africa

This paper examines the shape, prominence and drivers of work-to-work transitions in South Africa and Indonesia – two middle-income countries with similar development levels yet different labour market characteristics.

World Employment and Social Outlook 2023: The value of essential work

Key workers are essential for societies to function. This report calls for a revaluation of their work to reflect their social contribution, and for greater investment in key sectors.

Executive Summary

World Employment and Social Outlook 2023: The value of essential work [Summary]

Key workers are essential for societies to function. This report calls for a revaluation of their work to reflect their social contribution, and for greater investment in key sectors.