Economic Informality: Causes, Costs, and Policies-A Literature Survey

by Ana Maria Oviedo, Mark R. Thomas, Kamer Karakurum-ïzdemir

Overview

This survey assembles recent theoretical and empirical advances in the literature on economic informality and analyzes the causes and costs of informality in developed and developing economies. Using recent evidence, the survey discusses the nature and roots of informal economic activity across countries, distinguishing between informality as the result of “exclusion” and “exit.” The survey provides an extensive review of recent international experience with policies aimed at reducing informality, in particular, policies that facilitate the formalization process, create a framework for the transition from informality to formality, lend support to newly created firms, reduce or eliminate inconsistencies across regulation and government agencies, increase information flows, and increase enforcement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780821379967
Publisher:	World Bank Publications
Publication date:	06/01/2009
Series:	World Bank Working Papers , #167
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.50(d)