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Measuring informal employment

Informal employment and employment in the informal sector play an important role for employment creation, income generation and poverty reduction in many countries. Informal employment comprises one half to three-quarters of non-agricultural employment in developing countries, playing an increasingly important role in countries in transition and is on the rise as well in developed countries.

Statistics on informal employment and employment in the informal sector enhance the visibility of many workers, a large proportion of which are women, often in insecure, low-paid and unprotected employment.

Developing statistics on informal employment and employment in the informal sector will improve labour and economic statistics and provide new tools for research and policy-making on the links between employment, poverty and gender inequality.