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Changing rural labor markets and welfare in Malawi

Author

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  • De Weerdt, Joachim
  • Duquennois, Claire
  • Oliveres-Mallol, Adriana

Abstract

Rural Africa’s labor markets are undergoing significant transformations, yet long-run shifts in labor patterns across seasons and activities have not been documented using nationally representative data. This study utilizes temporally and nationally representative data from Malawi to estimate weekly hours spent each month on household agriculture, non-farm household enterprises, casual labor, and wage employment in 2010 and 2019. Over this period, seasonal fluctuations in work hours were reduced as time spent on household farm work dropped by 1.6 h per week while hours worked in casual labor and household non-farm enterprises increased by 2.6 and 0.7 h respectively. Consumption and food insecurity both increased, as households shifted away from home-produced staples, relying increasingly on markets. Casual labor is increasingly correlated with food insecurity. An Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition shows that the shift towards casual labor is experienced relatively more by men, the young, small landholders and those with limited formal education.

Suggested Citation

  • De Weerdt, Joachim & Duquennois, Claire & Oliveres-Mallol, Adriana, 2026. "Changing rural labor markets and welfare in Malawi," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wodepe:v:42:y:2026:i:c:s2452292926000275
    DOI: 10.1016/j.wdp.2026.100784
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