SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Goal description
«[…] In too many places, having a job doesn’t guarantee the ability to escape from poverty. […] Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs that stimulate the economy while not harming the environment. Job opportunities and decent working conditions are also required for the whole working age population.»
Significance of the indicator
The indicator shows the share of working poor in the employed population. In terms of sustainable development, every person has the right to live a life of dignity (principle 1a) and free from poverty (principles 2a and 2c). Furthermore, the economical system should ensure that anyone desiring gainful employment is able to find work which allows to meet their needs (principles 13). To encourage sustainable development, therefore, the poverty of working people must decrease.
Help for interpretation
It is an income-based poverty indicator. The measure of poverty can be biased by the fact that assets are not taken into account. This indicator is highly correlated with the poverty rate indicator of SDG 1.
International comparability
The indicators of income poverty published by Eurostat and the OECD are based on the concept of relative poverty and are not comparable with this indicator (based on the absolute concept).
Synthesis
Comments: Due to a break in the time series, the calculations are based on data from 2014 onwards. As the observed evolution falls within the confidence interval, this evolution is not statistically significant and is therefore assessed as unchanged.
Tables
Methodology
This indicator shows the proportion of working poor in the employed population. Data come from the Federal Statistical Office’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). The income data in the SILC 2021 survey relates to the year 2020, i.e. during the Covid-19 pandemic. A confidence interval of 95% is calculated for these data.
Principles
2a Meeting needs
The basic needs of all individuals must be met over the long term. Individuals should be allowed reasonable leeway to meet material and non-material needs which extend beyond the basic needs.
2c Fighting poverty
A life of dignity is free from poverty. Needy members of society should receive solidarity benefits.
13 Employment that is morally worthwhile and provides a decent living
The economic system should ensure that anyone desiring gainful employment is able to find meaningful work to support themselves.
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Environment, Sustainable Development, TerritoryEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
- Tel.
- +41 58 460 58 46
Monday - Friday:
09.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 16.00