The Long Shadow of Informality: Challenges and Policies

In emerging markets and developing economies, large numbers of people work outside the legal and regulatory framework: they account for 70 percent of employment and about a third of GDP. These “informal” workers were more likely to lose their jobs or suffer severe income losses during COVID-19 lockdowns—and they tend to be largely excluded from social safety nets. Against this backdrop, this event will explore the findings of the first comprehensive study of the extent of informality and its implications for a sustainable and inclusive recovery going forward.

• Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, IMF
• Brahima Coulibaly, Vice President, Global Economy & Development, Brookings Institution
• Ferid Belhaj, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, World Bank Group
• Mari Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank

Join us for the live conversation on May 11th.
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Learn more by downloading the report The Long Shadow of Informality: Challenges and Policies.