Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 10:55 AM ISTहिंदी में पढें
Business Standard
Notification Icon
userprofile IconSearch

The power of informality

The informal sector is an untapped reservoir of entrepreneurship that can accelerate the pace of economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in developing countries

A 10-per cent increase in employment and output in the informal sector is associated with a 16 per cent increase in employment in the formal sector
premium

A 10-per cent increase in employment and output in the informal sector is associated with a 16 per cent increase in employment in the formal sector

Ejaz Ghani
Informal firms account for up to half of economic activity in the developing world. Contrary to conventional wisdom, their importance has not declined over the last several decades. The persistence of the informal sector has gone hand in hand with a faster pace of structural transformation and pro-poor economic growth.  

India is no exception to these global trends. India’s informal sector accounts for over 80 per cent of jobs and 99 per cent of entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector.

Even in highly industrialised states like Gujarat, jobs are expanding in the informal sector. India’s young demographics, and limited employment generated by the
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper