FAO SOFIA: Leading Nations in Fisheries Livelihoods Employment and Projects

FAO SOFIA 2024: Global Fisheries Employment and Workforce Livelihoods

The 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) highlights the critical role of aquatic systems in supporting global stability. As production reaches record highs, the focus has shifted toward the "Blue Transformation," a roadmap designed to ensure that the industry's growth translates into equitable livelihoods and resilient communities.

According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, an estimated 61.8 million people were employed in the primary sector of fisheries and aquaculture in 2022. While this represents a slight decrease from 62.8 million in 2020, the sector remains a cornerstone of global livelihoods, particularly in Asia, which accounts for 85% of these jobs. Small-scale operations continue to dominate the workforce, providing essential nutrition and income for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Global Workforce Distribution

The workforce is split across various subsectors and regions, reflecting the diverse nature of aquatic production. While aquaculture is the fastest-growing production method, capture fisheries still employ the majority of the primary workforce.

Sector Split: 54% of the workforce is engaged in capture fisheries, while 36% work in aquaculture. The remaining 10% are in unspecified or multi-sector roles.
Regional Dominance: * Asia: 85% of total global employment.
- Africa: 10% of total global employment.
- Latin America & Caribbean: 4% of total global employment.
Economic Impact: Beyond the 61.8 million primary workers, it is estimated that roughly 600 million livelihoods depend at least partially on the full value chain, including processing, trade, and subsistence.

Gender Dynamics and Inequality

A key focus of the 2024 SOFIA report is the visible gender gap within the industry. While women are integral to the workforce, their contributions are often concentrated in specific segments of the value chain.

Sector Segment	Percentage of Women
Primary Production (Fishers & Farmers)	24%
Post-Harvest Sector (Processing & Marketing)	62%
Inland Fisheries	28%

The report notes that despite their high representation in processing, women often face unequal work burdens, lower wages, and limited decision-making power. Closing this gender gap is a primary goal of the "Blue Transformation" initiative to ensure equitable economic growth.

The Role of Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF)

Small-scale fisheries are the backbone of local food security. Approximately 500 million people rely on small-scale systems for their livelihoods. This includes roughly 53 million people involved in subsistence fishing—those who fish primarily to feed their families rather than for commercial sale. Interestingly, 45% of these subsistence workers are women, which underscores the sector's role in household nutrition.

Future Outlook: 2032 and Beyond

The FAO projects that aquatic animal production will increase by 10% by 2032, reaching 205 million tonnes. For the workforce, this means:

Shift to Aquaculture: As aquaculture production continues to surpass capture fisheries, employment opportunities are expected to migrate toward tech-driven farming and inland aquaculture.
Sustainability Targets: The "Blue Transformation" aims to stabilize capture fisheries through better management, which is expected to secure long-term job stability for the 33.6 million people currently in the subsector.

Top Countries in Fisheries Employment and Workforce Livelihoods

The 2024 SOFIA report underscores that while production is increasingly industrialized, the workforce remains deeply rooted in traditional, small-scale operations. Employment in this sector represents the primary source of income and nutrition for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in developing economies.

Leading Countries by Workforce & Livelihoods

The following countries represent the largest shares of global employment in the primary sector. Note that for some nations, "livelihood support" figures include the broader value chain (processing and trade), which significantly exceeds primary production numbers.

Rank	Country	Primary Workforce (Est.)	Livelihood Context
1	🇨🇳 China	~12.5 Million	The world's largest workforce, balancing massive aquaculture and a global fishing fleet.
2	🇮🇳 India	~28.0 Million*	Combined figure including primary and secondary sectors; vital for rural economy.
3	🇮🇩 Indonesia	~6.5 Million	High dependence on coastal fisheries; leading employer in tropical seaweed farming.
4	🇻🇳 Viet Nam	~4.0 Million	Employment is concentrated in the export-heavy Mekong Delta (shrimp and Pangasius).
5	🇧🇩 Bangladesh	~1.5 Million	High reliance on inland subsistence fishing and small-scale pond farming.
6	🇵🇭 Philippines	~2.1 Million	A mix of municipal (artisanal) fishers and commercial seaweed farmers.
7	🇪🇬 Egypt	~0.5 Million	Africa's aquaculture leader, providing the majority of the continent's farmed-fish jobs.

Note: India's reported 28 million includes the broader value chain (processing/marketing), whereas other figures often focus strictly on primary production (fishers/farmers).

Regional Livelihood Breakdown

Asia's dominance is driven by labor-intensive, small-scale systems that provide more jobs per tonne of fish produced than the mechanized fleets of the West.

Asia (85%): 🌏 52.5 million primary workers.
Africa (10%): 🌍 6.2 million workers. Inland fisheries (lakes/rivers) are the main employer.
Latin America & Caribbean (4%): 🌎 2.5 million workers. Growing quickly in 🇪🇨 Ecuador and 🇧🇷 Brazil.
Europe, Oceania, & North America (1%): 🗺️ ~0.6 million workers total. High mechanization means fewer people are needed for high-volume production.

The "Hidden Harvest" by the Numbers

Official statistics often overlook the informal workforce that provides the bulk of local nutrition.

Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF): Support 90% of the total capture fisheries workforce.
Subsistence Workers: Roughly 53 million people fish primarily for household food security.
Gender Split: Women make up 24% of primary producers but 62% of the post-harvest sector. In subsistence roles, women comprise nearly 45% of the workforce.

China: Global Leader in Fisheries Employment and Livelihoods

As the world's largest producer of aquatic foods, China plays a foundational role in the global workforce. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, China's massive contribution to both capture fisheries and aquaculture is reflected in an employment scale that dwarf most other nations combined.

China’s Workforce by the Numbers

China accounts for the largest single-country share of the global fisheries workforce. Its employment structure is unique due to the sheer scale of its aquaculture operations, which now provide more jobs than wild-capture fishing.

Employment Category	Estimated Number (Primary Sector)	Key Contribution
Total Primary Workforce	~12.5 - 14.5 Million	The largest national workforce in the global aquatic sector.
Aquaculture Workers	~5.5 Million	Concentrated in inland pond farming (carp) and coastal mariculture.
Capture Fishermen	~9.0 Million	Includes both coastal artisanal fishers and the distant-water fleet.
Secondary Sector	~5 - 8 Million	Post-harvest roles in processing, marketing, and distribution.

Livelihood Drivers in the Chinese Model

China’s "Blue Transformation" has significantly shifted how livelihoods are supported, moving from traditional wild-catching to technology-driven farming.

Aquaculture as a Rural Engine: 🇨🇳 In rural China, aquaculture is a primary tool for poverty alleviation. Inland provinces like Hubei and Jiangsu utilize massive freshwater systems that support millions of small-holder farmers.
The Post-Harvest Powerhouse: China is the world’s leading processing hub. While men dominate primary production (fishers/farmers), women represent over 60% of the workforce in China’s high-volume processing and export facilities.
Small-Scale Dominance: Despite its massive industrial fleet, over 200,000 vessels in China are active in coastal, small-scale fisheries, supporting tens of millions of people in coastal villages.

Key Challenges for the Chinese Workforce

The 2024 SOFIA report and recent Chinese white papers highlight several transition points for the workforce:

Fleet Reduction & Sustainability: China has implemented strict licensing and "zero growth" policies for capture fisheries. This has led to a controlled reduction in the number of traditional fishers to protect marine stocks, pushing more workers toward the aquaculture and service sectors.
Digitalization: The "Digital Fishery" initiative is introducing AI and big data into farming. While this increases efficiency, it requires the aging workforce to upskill or move into the tertiary (service/tourism) sector.
Gender Gap: Like the global average, women in China's primary sector often lack formal recognition and decision-making power compared to their male counterparts in large-scale commercial operations.

India: Livelihood and Employment in the Fisheries Sector

India is the second-largest aquaculture producer and the third-largest fish-producing nation in the world. As of the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, India’s fisheries sector is a vital pillar of the national economy, contributing approximately 1.09% to the total National GVA and over 6.72% to the Agricultural GVA.

India’s Workforce: Primary vs. Secondary Sector

India’s employment data is often categorized into direct (primary) and indirect (secondary) roles. While the primary production sector involves about 14.5 million people, the broader value chain supports nearly double that number.

Category	Estimated Number	Key Activities
Direct Employment	~14.5 Million	Active fishers (marine & inland) and fish farmers (aquaculture).
Total Livelihoods	~28.0 - 30.0 Million	Includes processing, marketing, net making, and ice plant operations.
Aquaculture Sector	~6.8 Million	Dominated by freshwater carp farming and brackish water shrimp.
Marine Capture	~4.1 Million	Operating across 3,477 coastal fishing villages.

Key Livelihood Drivers in India

The Inland Revolution: India has seen a massive 140% growth in inland fisheries over the last decade. This shift has created millions of jobs in rural, landlocked states, moving the economic center of gravity away from just the coastlines.
Small-Scale and Artisanal Strength: Over 90% of marine fishers in India are small-scale or artisanal. The sector utilizes roughly 250,000 traditional boats, ensuring that wealth is distributed among local communities rather than just large industrial fleets.
Export-Driven Income: India is a global leader in shrimp exports (specifically L. vannamei). This high-value export market supports roughly 1.7 million tonnes of shipments, providing stable, higher-wage employment in processing and logistics.

Gender Dynamics in the Indian Workforce

The 2024 data highlights a significant gender division of labor. While women are less visible in high-sea capture fisheries, they are the backbone of the "after-catch" economy.

Post-Harvest Dominance: Women constitute approximately 62% (2.23 million) of the post-harvest workforce, including peeling, curing, and retail marketing.
Subsistence & Household Security: In rural inland areas, women manage small backyard ponds, contributing significantly to household protein intake and "hidden" economic value.
Government Support: Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), women receive higher government subsidies (up to 60%) to encourage entrepreneurship in fish farming.

Challenges to Livelihood Stability

Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures and increased cyclone frequency in the Bay of Bengal have reduced fishing days by an estimated 20% annually.
Post-Harvest Losses: Due to gaps in cold-chain infrastructure, nearly 20–25% of the catch is lost, directly impacting the potential income of small-scale fishers.
Credit Access: Only about 20% of India's 24 million fishers currently have access to institutional credit through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) system.

Indonesia: Fisheries Employment and Workforce Livelihoods

As the world's largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia is a global powerhouse in the aquatic sector. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Indonesia ranks as the second-largest producer in capture fisheries and a top-three producer in aquaculture, making its workforce one of the most significant globally for food security and coastal stability.

Indonesia’s Workforce by the Numbers

Indonesia's employment in the sector is defined by a massive number of individual and household-scale enterprises. Unlike more mechanized nations, Indonesia relies heavily on a high-density, labor-intensive workforce.

Employment Category	Estimated Number	Key Industry Role
Total Primary Workforce	~6.5 - 7.0 Million	Includes registered fishers and fish farmers across 38 provinces.
Capture Fisheries	~2.4 Million	Predominantly small-scale (vessels <10 GT) across 11 Fisheries Management Areas (WPP).
Aquaculture Workers	~3.5 - 4.0 Million	Significant growth in seaweed farming, shrimp, and freshwater tilapia.
Seaweed Farmers	~1.2 Million	Indonesia is the world's leading producer of tropical seaweed (carrageenan).

Livelihood Drivers and the "Blue Economy"

Indonesia’s "Blue Economy" policy focuses on balancing high production with the welfare of its 2.67 million small-scale fishers, who are often the most vulnerable to climate and market shifts.

Seaweed: The Livelihood Anchor: 🇮🇩 Seaweed farming is a vital "entry-level" livelihood for coastal families. It requires low capital and provides a harvest every 45 days, supporting over 25,000 households in regions like South Sulawesi alone.
Small-Scale Dominance: Roughly 90% of Indonesia's fishing fleet consists of small vessels. This ensures that the economic benefits of the 8.0% global share of wild-catch production stay within local coastal communities.
Export Impact: Indonesia is a top exporter of tuna, shrimp, and squid. The export value chain supports secondary employment for millions in cold-chain logistics and processing plants in hubs like Bitung and Surabaya.

Gender and Social Dynamics

The 2024 data highlights that while men dominate at-sea capture, women are the primary drivers of the "hidden" economy in Indonesia.

The 48% Contribution: Studies indicate that women in Indonesian fishing households contribute up to 48% of the total family income through processing and "bakul" (traditional fish trading).
Processing Workforce: In formal fish processing plants (shrimp and tuna), women make up approximately 60-70% of the workforce, though they often face a wage gap compared to male offshore crew members.
Economic Inequality: Average monthly earnings for male workers in the sector are approximately IDR 2.55 million, while women earn roughly IDR 1.73 million, reflecting a persistent challenge in gender-equitable livelihoods.

Challenges to the Workforce

Climate Vulnerability: Sea-level rise and extreme weather have reduced fishing days for artisanal workers in Northern Java and Eastern Indonesia.
Infrastructure Gaps: High post-harvest losses (up to 30% in some regions) due to a lack of ice and cold storage directly reduce the take-home pay of small-scale farmers.
Modernization: The government’s move toward "Measured Fishing" (Penangkapan Ikan Terukur) seeks to industrialize the sector, which requires upskilling traditional fishers to work on larger, safer vessels.

Viet Nam: A Global Hub for Fisheries Employment and Livelihoods

Viet Nam stands as one of the top five seafood exporters globally, with a workforce that is deeply integrated into the international supply chain. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report and the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the sector is not only a major employer but also a vital engine for rural development in the Mekong Delta and coastal regions.

Viet Nam’s Workforce: Export and Production Power

Viet Nam’s fisheries sector supports over 4 million workers in total, including both primary production and the massive industrial processing sector that fuels its exports to the US, EU, and Japan.

Category	Estimated Number	Primary Contribution
Total Labor Force	>4.0 Million	9-10% of Viet Nam's total national export turnover.
Direct Employment	~3.5 Million	Fishers (capture) and farmers (aquaculture) in primary production.
Processing & Export	~300,000 Workers	Concentrated in high-tech plants for shrimp and Pangasius.
Aquaculture Area	1.3 Million Hectares	Inland and coastal farming providing rural family income.

Livelihood Drivers: The Mekong Delta and Beyond

Viet Nam’s unique geography has created highly specialized labor markets:

The Mekong Delta Engine: This region is the heart of Viet Nam’s aquaculture, accounting for 95% of Pangasius production and 80% of shrimp production. It provides stable livelihoods for millions of small-holder farmers and factory workers.
Shift to Aquaculture: In line with the "Blue Transformation" goals, Viet Nam is transitioning from wild capture (42% of output) to aquaculture (58% of output). This shift provides more predictable, year-round employment compared to seasonal sea fishing.
Secondary Sector Influence: Viet Nam is the world's 3rd largest exporter of aquatic products. The export value chain supports a vast secondary workforce in logistics, quality control, and international trade, which are among the highest-paying roles in the sector.

Gender Dynamics: Women at the Center of Exports

Viet Nam is a notable example of the global trend where women dominate the post-harvest sector.

Processing Dominance: In the roughly 600+ export-standard processing plants across the country, women make up over 60-70% of the workforce. Their expertise in shrimp peeling and fish filleting is central to the high quality of "Product of Vietnam" labels.
Subsistence and Small-scale: In inland and coastal villages, women play a critical role in "invisible" labor—managing backyard ponds and selling fish in local markets—which provides essential household food security.

Strategic Transitions for the 2030 Goal

Viet Nam’s "Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030" aims to modernize the workforce to meet international standards:

Job Conversion: The government is proactively helping 120,000 fishers transition from over-fished coastal waters to aquaculture or tourism-related jobs to ensure "stable employment and guaranteed income."
Sustainability Compliance: As a top exporter, the Vietnamese workforce is rapidly adopting sustainability certifications (like ASC and BAP) to maintain access to premium global markets, requiring higher technical skills for farmers.
Income Growth: The national goal is to increase per capita income for fishery workers significantly by 2030, reducing the poverty gap in remote coastal and island communities.

Bangladesh: A Global Leader in Inland Fisheries and Livelihoods

Bangladesh is one of the world's most fish-dependent nations, where aquatic resources are deeply woven into the cultural and economic fabric. According to the FAO SOFIA 2024 report, Bangladesh ranks as the second-largest producer of inland capture fisheries globally, making the sector a primary driver for poverty reduction and rural stability.

Bangladesh’s Workforce: Scale and Economic Impact

The fisheries sector in Bangladesh supports the livelihoods of approximately 12% of the total population (nearly 20 million people) through direct and indirect employment.

Category	Estimated Number	Key Industry Role
Total Livelihood Support	~17.0 - 20.0 Million	Includes fishers, farmers, traders, and processors.
Primary Sector (Direct)	~1.5 - 2.0 Million	Full-time fishers and aquaculture pond operators.
Inland Capture	~1.3 Million	Focused on the vast river networks and "haors" (wetlands).
Marine Capture	~0.3 Million	Coastal and artisanal fishers in the Bay of Bengal.
Hilsa Fishery	~2.5 Million	Indirectly supports millions through the value chain of the national fish.

Livelihood Drivers: Rivers and Ponds

Bangladesh’s workforce is unique because of its extreme reliance on inland waters, which provide a safety net for the rural poor.

Inland Capture Leader: 🇧🇩 Bangladesh produced 1.3 million tonnes from inland waters in 2022, trailing only India. This subsector is the largest employer of landless laborers who rely on "open access" fishing for survival.
The Hilsa Economy: The Hilsa (national fish) fishery alone contributes about 12% of total fish production. Conservation efforts, such as temporary fishing bans, are paired with government food aid to support the 500,000+ fishers directly involved in this single-species trade.
Aquaculture Growth: Farmed fish now accounts for over 58% of total production. This shift has moved many workers from precarious wild-capture jobs into more stable pond-management roles, particularly in the Mymensingh and Bogra regions.

Gender Dynamics and the "Invisible" Workforce

In Bangladesh, gender roles in fisheries are strictly defined by cultural norms, yet women’s economic contributions are vital.

Post-Harvest Dominance: Women represent a significant portion of the workforce in dry fish processing (over 54% in some coastal regions) and the industrial shrimp-peeling sector.
Subsistence & Small-holder Farming: In rural areas, roughly 30% of women are involved in small-scale aquaculture or net-making. However, many are classified as "unpaid family labor," making their economic contribution officially under-reported.
The Empowerment Gap: According to 2024 research using the Pro-WEFI index, only 14% of women in fishing communities are considered "empowered" regarding decision-making and income control, compared to 37% of men.

Challenges to Livelihood Resilience

Climate Change & Disasters: Bangladesh is on the front lines of climate change. Frequent cyclones and increasing salinity in the southern delta threaten the livelihoods of millions of shrimp farmers and coastal fishers.
The "Debt Trap": Many small-scale fishers rely on the Aratdar (middlemen) system for high-interest loans to buy gear, often trapping them in cycles of debt that reduce their actual take-home income.
Occupational Hazards: Recent studies highlight that coastal fishers face high rates of skin diseases and musculoskeletal issues due to long hours in harsh environments with limited access to safety equipment.

Empowering the Blue Workforce: Global Fisheries Employment and Livelihoods

The 2024 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) highlights the critical role of aquatic systems in supporting global stability. As production reaches record highs, the focus has shifted toward the "Blue Transformation," a roadmap designed to ensure that the industry's growth translates into equitable livelihoods and resilient communities.

Key Livelihood Projects in Leading Nations

To ensure the long-term stability of the global workforce, leading nations have launched specific "Blue Transformation" projects. These initiatives focus on transitioning from subsistence-level work to sustainable, technology-driven livelihoods.

Country	Key Project / Initiative	Primary Objective	Impact on Workforce
🇨🇳 China	Digital Fishery & Smart Mariculture	AI and IoT integration in deep-sea farming.	Shifts workers to safer, tech-based shore monitoring; increases income by 15–20%.
🇮🇳 India	PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana)	$2.4B infrastructure and credit investment.	Provides low-interest loans; 60% subsidies for women entrepreneurs.
🇮🇩 Indonesia	Desa Nelayan Maju (Kala Juara)	Modernizing artisanal fishing villages.	Reduces post-harvest losses from 30% to 15%, increasing take-home pay.
🇻🇳 Viet Nam	Mekong Delta Climate Resilience	Transitioning rice farmers to "Rice-Shrimp" farming.	Diversifies income and protects against saltwater intrusion for millions.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh	Hilsa Conservation & Safety Net	VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) food cards.	Supports 500,000+ fishers with food aid during seasonal conservation bans.

Conclusion: The Future of Global Fisheries Livelihoods

The FAO SOFIA 2024 report makes it clear: the future of fisheries is no longer just about the volume of the catch, but the quality of the livelihood. As aquaculture surpasses capture fisheries, the global workforce is undergoing its most significant shift in a century.

Regional Shifts: Asia will continue to host the majority of the workforce, but Africa shows the highest potential for employment growth in inland aquaculture.
The Gender Dividend: Closing the gender gap in the post-harvest sector remains one of the most effective ways to improve global food security, as women are more likely to reinvest income into household nutrition.
Climate Resilience: The stability of 600 million livelihoods depends on the success of "Blue Transformation" projects that protect ecosystems while empowering small-scale workers.

The transition from "fishing for survival" to "farming for the future" is well underway. While challenges like climate change and debt cycles persist, the strategic investments in these top-producing nations provide a blueprint for a more equitable and resilient global seafood industry.