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The effectiveness of interventions to reduce informality in low- and middle income countries

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  • Jessen, Jonas
  • Kluve, Jochen

Abstract

Labor markets in low- and middle income countries are characterized by high levels of informality. A multitude of interventions have therefore been implemented in many countries with the objective to increase the formalization of firms and workers, including information campaigns, simplification of registration procedures, reductions of payroll taxes and social security contributions, and interventions that enforce labor or business formalization. In this paper, we compile a database of 157 impact estimates from 32 academic studies that evaluate empirically one or more of these formalization interventions. The empirical analysis correlates the impact estimates of the primary studies - given as either (i) a measure of sign and statistical significance or (ii) the effect size - with explanatory factors such as the intervention type, the outcome variable, the scope of the intervention (program or policy), and other covariates. Several key findings emerge: first, the intervention type is not a strong determinant for the effectiveness of formalization interventions, though tax incentives and labor inspection are most likely to display significant positive effects. Second, the outcome "worker registration" shows significantly better results than other outcomes. Third, interventions at scale - i.e. formalization "policies" - are more effective on average than singular "programs".

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  • Jessen, Jonas & Kluve, Jochen, 2019. "The effectiveness of interventions to reduce informality in low- and middle income countries," Ruhr Economic Papers 814, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:814
    DOI: 10.4419/86788942
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    Cited by:

    1. Hernando Gutierrez, Luis & Rodriguez-Lesmes, Paul, 2023. "Productivity gaps at formal and informal microfirms," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    2. Colin C. Williams, 2023. "A Modern Guide to the Informal Economy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 18668.
    3. Dorgyles C.M. Kouakou, 2024. "Can past informality impede registered firms’ access to credit?," Economics Working Paper Archive (University of Rennes & University of Caen) 2024-08, Center for Research in Economics and Management (CREM), University of Rennes, University of Caen and CNRS.
    4. Torm, Nina & Oehme, Marty, 2024. "Social protection and formalization in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review of the literature," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    5. Philippe Adair & Vladimir Hlasny & Mariem Omrani & Kareem Sharabi Rosshandler, 2022. "Fostering social businesses and formalising the informal economy in MENA countries," Erudite Working Paper 2022-03, Erudite.
    6. KOUAKOU, Dorgyles C.M., 2024. "Can past informality impede registered firms' access to credit?," MPRA Paper 121766, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Philippe Adair & Vladimir Hlasny, 2023. "Fostering Decent Jobs in MENA Countries: Segmented Employment, Occupational Mobility and Formalising Informality," Erudite Working Paper 2023-02, Erudite.
    8. Roberto Dell'Anno, 2022. "Theories and definitions of the informal economy: A survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(5), pages 1610-1643, December.
    9. Spyridon Boikos & Mehmet Pinar & Thanasis Stengos, 2023. "Bribery, on-the-job training, and firm performance," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 37-58, January.
    10. Philippe Adair & Vladimir Hlasny, 2022. "Labour Market Segmentation and Formalising Informality in MENA Countries," Erudite Working Paper 2022-07, Erudite.
    11. Dorgyles C.M. Kouakou, 2022. "Determinants of employees' participation in decision‐making in developing countries: Does a firm's formal versus informal status matter?," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(5), pages 1501-1514, July.
    12. Philippe Adair, 2021. "The informal economy and gender inequalities in North Africa," Erudite Working Paper 2021-07, Erudite.
    13. Schächtele, Simeon & Eguino, Huáscar & Roman, Soraya, 2022. "Improving taxpayer registration through nudging? Field experimental evidence from Brazil," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    14. Acosta, Matias, 2021. "¿Cómo afecta la formalización del trabajo informal independiente de barrios populares a la pobreza multidimensional urbana?," SocArXiv hfmnb, Center for Open Science.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    formalization; labor registration; business registration; impact evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C40 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - General
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market
    • J48 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Particular Labor Markets; Public Policy

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