The International Yearbook of Industrial Statistics 2025 highlights the resilience and transformation of global industry amid a year marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain restructuring, protectionist measures, and the push for sustainability. Despite these challenges, industry remains a key driver of economic growth, with manufacturing expanding by 2.9 per cent in 2024. Middle-income economies led the way, strengthening their role in global value chains and investing in innovation-driven industries. The Yearbook reports that while manufacturing value added continues to grow, employment gains remain uneven, particularly for women and youth, as automation and artificial intelligence reshape production. On sustainability, encouraging progress shows that many economies are decoupling industrial growth from carbon emissions, though low-income economies face barriers to adopting cleaner technologies. UNIDO emphasizes the importance of reliable industrial statistics to guide evidence-based policymaking. The Yearbook calls for strategic investments, strong partnerships, and sound policies to ensure industrialization advances climate goals, fosters innovation, and creates opportunities for all, building a more inclusive and resilient future.
