The largest sector in terms of employees was solar with 2.27 million followed by liquid biofuels with 1.45 million, wind with 834,000 and 782,000 in biomass sectors.
The largest employers in the last year’s renewables industry were China, Brazil, the US, India, Germany, Spain and Bangladesh respectively.
IRENA estimated that solar PV installations in China increased five-fold from 2011 to 2013.
IRENA head of the knowledge, policy and finance division and lead author of the report Rabia Ferroukhi said surging demand for solar PV in China and Japan has increased employment in the installation sector and eased some PV module over-supply concerns.
"Consequently some Chinese manufacturers are now adding capacity," Ferroukhi said.
The report noted that China and Canada provided positive impulses in the wind industry while the outlook for the US remains somewhat mixed due to the political uncertainty.
According to the report, the offshore wind industry is still concentrated in Europe, particularly the UK and Germany.
IRENA was established in 2009 to promote the growth and adoption of renewable energy globally.
The agency has a membership of over 130 countries and around 40 additional countries are in the accession process and actively engaged.
