## The Global Informal Workforce: Priorities for Inclusive Growth

_Books, July 23, 2021_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [The Global Informal Workforce: Priorities for Inclusive Growth](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/books/issues/2021/09/22/the-global-informal-workforce-49719)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/books/issues/2021/09/22/the-global-informal-workforce-49719/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/books/issues/2021/09/22/the-global-informal-workforce-49719/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/books/issues/2021/09/22/the-global-informal-workforce-49719/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: July 23, 2021
- Series: Books
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513575919.071

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### Overview
- The Global Informal Workforce is a fresh look at the informal economy around the world and its impact on the macroeconomy.
- The book covers interactions between the informal economy, labor and product markets, gender equality, fiscal institutions and outcomes, social protection, and financial inclusion.
- Informality is described as a widespread and persistent phenomenon that affects how fast economies can grow, develop, and provide decent economic opportunities for their populations.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has helped to uncover the vulnerabilities of the informal workforce.

### Major Themes Covered
- Interactions between the informal economy and:
  - Labor markets
  - Product markets
  - Gender equality
  - Fiscal institutions and outcomes
  - Social protection
  - Financial inclusion
- Role of technology and mobile banking in relation to informal workers.
- Geographic and demographic focus areas implied by subject and keyword listing:
  - Regions: Caribbean, Central America, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Global
  - Groups and topics: Women, Labor markets, Shadow economy, Financial inclusion

### Key Findings and Observations (as stated)
- Informality is widespread and persistent.
- Informality affects growth, development, and the provision of decent economic opportunities.
- The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities of the informal workforce.

### Focus Areas / Policy Priorities (as framed by the publication title and description)
- Priorities for inclusive growth oriented around addressing informality’s interactions with:
  - Labor and product market dynamics
  - Gender equality and women’s economic participation
  - Fiscal institutions and tax/transfer outcomes
  - Social protection coverage and adequacy
  - Financial inclusion and access to mobile banking/financial services

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## Content in this bundle

- **Ieatweaex**
  - [Ieatweaex (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/books/2021/english/ieatweaex.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/books/issues/2021/09/22/the-global-informal-workforce-49719_