FAO has updated FishStat with primary-sector employment data through 2024. The new dataset estimates 23.1 million people directly employed in aquaculture, up from approximately 22.2 million in 2022, an increase of around 900,000 workers, or roughly 4%.
Across fisheries and aquaculture combined, primary-sector employment rose from 61.8 million people in 2022 to 65.3 million in 2024, an increase of 3.5 million, or 5.7%.
Despite the rise in absolute aquaculture employment, its share of the total edged down from 36% to 35%.
The update extends the international employment series through 2024 and allows comparisons by country, sector, gender and employment status.
FAO nevertheless notes differences in coverage and disaggregation between countries, meaning cross-country comparisons should be interpreted with caution.
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