## Measuring the Informal Economy

_Policy Papers, February 2, 2021_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Measuring the Informal Economy](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2021/02/02/measuring-the-informal-economy-50057)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2021/02/02/measuring-the-informal-economy-50057/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2021/02/02/measuring-the-informal-economy-50057/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2021/02/02/measuring-the-informal-economy-50057/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Gabriel Quiros-Romero, Thomas F Alexander, Jennifer Ribarsky
- Published: February 2, 2021
- Series: Policy Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513568249.007

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### Overview and Objective
- Proposes a framework for measuring the informal economy that is consistent with internationally agreed concepts and methodology for measuring GDP.
- Objective: facilitate preparation of estimates of the informal economy as a component of GDP.

### Proposed definition and scope
- The informal economy “comprises production of informal sector units, production of goods for own final use, production of domestic workers, and production generated by informal employment in formal enterprises.”

### Key contributions and implications
- Provides a framework aligned with national accounts concepts and methods to enable standardized measurement of informal economic activity.
- Establishes scope for data collection and estimation by identifying four components of informal economic production (as quoted above).

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## Content in this bundle

- **Policy Paper**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2021/02/02/measuring-the-informal-economy-50057_