Economic growth weakened and did not deliver significant numbers of jobs and decent work.
Unemployment rates remained low, projected at 3.8 per cent in 2012, but youth unemployment was estimated at 9.6 per cent.
A large share of workers remained in agriculture, in the urban informal sector or in unprotected jobs in the formal sector.
Female labour force participation remains low.
The goal of creating more decent work will be even more elusive in 2013.
There are widespread skills and education mismatches: many South Asians are leaving school or university without skills that are demanded by employers. Many of these young people “queue” for a job in the public sector.
Labour productivity improvements within services contributed significantly to growth. (see 2nd chart below)
Structural change has also contributed significantly to growth, but to a lesser extent during the crisis.
