Abstract
The brief presents the ILO’s approach to circular economic transition as a driver of environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive and economically productive development, contrasting linear and circular economic models. It highlights that circular economy activities already employ 157.7 million people worldwide and could generate an additional net 24 million jobs by 2030 with coherent policy support, while high informality (52 per cent) and low female participation (26 per cent) remain key challenges. The report details how circular transition can advance decent work through employment creation, re-skilling and up-skilling, formalization, support to MSMEs and cooperatives, industrial symbiosis and access to appropriate financial mechanisms. It further outlines how the ILO supports its tripartite constituents through policy advice, institutional capacity building and social dialogue, anchoring circular transformation in a just transition framework to advance decent work, social justice and sustainable economic development that leaves no one behind.