Australia Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Australia's industry employment was 19.29% in 2025, ranked 96th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Australia's industry employment stood at 19.29% in 2025, a decline of +0.07% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 19.32% by 2026. Australia ranked 96th globally.
Australia’s industry employment share fell from an all‑time peak of 23.92 percent in 1991 to a trough of 19.06 percent in 2019, before edging slightly higher to 19.29 percent in 2025, placing the country 96th globally. The 35‑year series shows a persistent downward trajectory, reflecting structural shifts toward services and the gradual automation of manufacturing. Australia’s 2025 figure is closely aligned with peers such as Belgium (19.25 percent) and France (19.34 percent), underscoring a common pattern among advanced economies where industrial jobs constitute roughly one‑fifth of total employment. The modest rebound from the 2019 low suggests that policy measures aimed at revitalising advanced manufacturing, renewable‑energy production, and skills up‑skilling could halt the decline, while continued investment in high‑value industrial sectors may be required to reverse the long‑term trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 19.26% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 19.29% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 19.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 19.29% | −0.07% | #96 |
| 2024 | 19.36% | −0.32% | #95 |
| 2023 | 19.68% | +0.43% | #98 |
| 2022 | 19.25% | −0.25% | #94 |
| 2021 | 19.50% | +0.31% | #97 |
| 2020 | 19.19% | +0.13% | #94 |
| 2019 | 19.06% | −0.83% | #91 |
| 2018 | 19.89% | +0.46% | #100 |
| 2017 | 19.43% | −0.56% | #93 |
| 2016 | 19.99% | −0.08% | #100 |
| 2015 | 20.07% | −0.91% | #101 |
| 2014 | 20.98% | −0.14% | #109 |
| 2013 | 21.12% | −0.26% | #111 |
| 2012 | 21.39% | −0.15% | #114 |
| 2011 | 21.53% | −0.17% | #112 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's industry employment was 19.29% in 2025. Ranked 96th globally. This represents a 0.3% decrease from the previous year.
Australia's industry employment peaked at 23.92% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Australia was 19.06% in 2019.
Australia ranks 96th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Australia's industry employment is projected to reach 19.32% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Australia in 2025 was 19.29%. This ranks 96th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_industry-employment,
title = {Australia Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}