Publications on informal economy

  1. Publication

    Youth employment in times of COVID

    21 January 2022

    A global review of COVID-19 policy responses to tackle (un)employment and disadvantage among young people.

  2. Publication

    Trainer's Guide: Formalize Your Business in the Gambia

    18 January 2022

  3. Publication

    Learner’s Handbook: Formalize Your Business in the Gambia

    18 January 2022

  4. Report

    World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2022

    17 January 2022

    This ILO flagship report details the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the world of work.

  5. EESE Report

    A comparative analysis from the EESE programme in Zambia, Honduras, Montenegro, Sierra Leone and Mozambique: key findings and lessons learned

    14 January 2022

    The five case studies look back on the EESE process in specific countries to document how the assessment was conducted, which stakeholders were involved, what recommendations and action plans were issued as a result of the assessment, and how these were taken up by local partners to lead to reforms and, ultimately, improved enabling environment, enterprise development and job creation. These five case studies are input into the preparation of the present comparative study which aims at collecting the key findings from the country-level case studies and identifying common lessons learned and success factors, which should provide evidence for revision of the programme. The main research questions addressed by this report are: can EESE methodology drive change in a sustainable way, what are the key success factors, what are the main opportunities for programme to grow and evolve.

  6. Methodological note

    Diagnosis of informality

    20 December 2021

  7. Report

    A framework to support small firms in developing countries navigate crises and build resilience

    10 December 2021

    This wide-ranging report addresses head-on some of the key challenges that shocks pose to small firms in developing countries and outlines a range of policy options that can help support small firms during such conditions. It also presents concrete and numerous examples of measures which are derived from previous shocks and from the COVID-19 shock.

  8. PRODUCTIVITY

    TRENDS IN PRODUCTIVITY AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES. A comparative analysis of four emerging-market economies.

    17 November 2021

    This study undertaken by the Bureau for Employers' Activities of the ILO (ACT/EMP) is part of a research project to analyse the barriers to productivity growth, diversification and structural change in four selected emerging market economies Vietnam, Colombia, Turkey, and South Africa. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the design of coherent and comprehensive strategies, with a human-centred approach, to foster productivity and structural change, will be of utmost importance to accelerate the economic and employment recovery in the post-pandemic environment to build forward better.

  9. ILO News

    ILO Pasifika Update November 2021

    14 November 2021

    In this edition of the ILO Pacific Newsletter, you will find updates on events and other news highlights of ILO’s work in the Pacific from September to November 2021.

  10. Publication

    Diagnosis on informality in targeted intervention areas of the PROSPECTS programme in Uganda

    09 November 2021

    In 2020, the ILO commissioned a study on the informal economy in the forced displacement context in Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess drivers of informality in refugee settlements and host communities in targeted regions of the PROSPECTS programme and identify opportunities to improve working conditions and reduce informality among these target groups.