Understanding Blue Jobs: An Operational Guidance Note for Supporting More and Better Jobs in the Blue Economy

World Bank, Kevwe Sylvester Pela, Anna Renhart and Trrishala Kumaraswamy

No 213375, The Social Policy and Labor Discussion Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: This guidance note develops a practical framework for identifying, diagnosing, and supporting more and better jobs in the Blue Economy. It starts from a central distinction, emphasizing that not all employment in aquatic sectors automatically qualifies as blue jobs. Blue jobs are the subset of jobs in the aquatic sectors that support environmental sustainability, contribute to economic productivity, and promote social inclusion. This distinction is important because treating all aquatic-sector jobs as inherently sustainable can overstate employment gains and obscure the adjustment costs faced by workers, firms, and communities as countries transition toward more sustainable aquatic resource use. Such transitions are not frictionless and may create short- and medium-term risks, particularly for workers and communities that depend heavily on existing aquatic livelihoods. To help country teams navigate these complexities, the note proposes a four-step diagnostic sequence for identifying where and how to support more and better blue jobs: i) identifying the scale, profile, and location of aquatic-sector jobs; ii) assessing whether the underlying activities are aligned with the Blue Economy approach; iii) diagnosing the labor market frictions and transition risks affecting workers, firms, and communities; and iv) matching the findings to appropriate policy and project instruments. The note then identifies project-level entry points that country teams can use to translate these diagnostic findings into operational responses. These entry points are organized around the World Bank’s three-pillar Jobs framework: investing in foundational infrastructure for jobs, strengthening governance and the regulatory environment, and mobilizing private capital. Drawing on selected country and project examples, the note illustrates how these entry points can be applied in aquatic-sector contexts to support more productive, inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable livelihoods over time.

Date: 2026-08-05
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