Circular Economy as a Driver of Labour Market Change: Evidence from Romania (2014–2024)
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| Pages: | 16 : 28 |
| Abstract: | The paper investigates the relationship between circular-economy development and labour-market change in Romania during 2014–2024. Using indicators of circular material use, municipal waste recycling, resource productivity, circular-sector employment and repair and reuse employment, the study combines benchmark-year trend analysis, descriptive statistics and comparison with the EU-27. The results indicate gradual improvement across all indicators but persistent convergence gaps, particularly in material circularity and resource productivity. In 2024, Romania reached only 13.6% of the EU benchmark for circular material use and 15.2% for resource productivity, while circular-sector employment reached 66.7%. This asymmetry suggests that employment has expanded faster than material and productivity performance and may remain concentrated in relatively labour-intensive circular activities. The findings highlight the need to shift towards higher-value circular models, including remanufacturing, eco-design, industrial symbiosis and advanced secondary-material processing, supported by investment, skills development, digitalisation and innovation. |
| JEL classification: | J21, J24, O33, Q53, Q56 |
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J21, J24, O33, Q53, Q56
