GDRC | The Informal Sector Programme

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The GRDC Research Programme on the Informal Sector

So what kinds of policies best foster the informal sector to mainstream, without loosing its inherent advantages? What is its role in poverty alleviation?

Tyre recycling in Yangoon, Myanmar

The informal sector is an oxymoron - on one hand it is an unorganized 'nuisance' sector whose members, for example, do not pay any form of tax; on the other, it provides jobs and increases incomes of the most vulnerable groups in a city - the very low-income group.

What should the policies be? Who should be doing what? What is the link to the formal sector? There are no easy answers!

Highlights
of GDRC
Research

Full list
of docs

Exploring the Informal Sector: Five Key Inquiries and Insights Concept Note Series C-046.	Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Research Note Series E-117.
Four Corners of Policies for the Informal Sector: A Framework for Sustainable Development and Integration Concept Note Series Series E-115.	"Formalizing" the Informal Sector: Lessons from Penang, Bandung and Bangkok Case Study Series Series E-108.

More →

Currently, GDRC is focussing on issues related to the role of informal sector activities within an urban economy context. It is also researching the strategic policy environments in which the informal sector can function efficiently.

Have a look at the planned publications under this programme

GDRC Research Resources

	Informal Sector (IS)

Elsewhere
in GDRC

Documents:	The Backbone of Urban Asia: A Policy Framework for Integrating Informal Transport Policy Analysis Series E-243
Themes:	■ Microcredit - Informal Credit Markets ■ UEM - Slums and Squatters ■ The NGO Cafe

This programme is a part of:

GDRC's Economy Sphere

Explanations
Interactions
Opportunities
Discoveries
@

In developing countries, 40-80% of all economic outputs are carried out in the informal sector:

🌍 Africa = 60-80%
🌎 L.America = 50-60%
🌏 Asia = 40-60%

Sustainable Development Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

View publications of this programme.