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Informal worker in Johannesburg
Informal sector © Ipele Dolo

More than 6 workers among 10 and 4 enterprises among 5 in the world operate in the informal economy. Contrary to the old forecasts, informality has not diminished over time and is even increasing in many countries. Informal economies are typically characterized by a high incidence of poverty and severe decent work deficits. Without formalization, decent work for all and equity in society will remain an illusion. In 2015, the ILO adopted the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation. The Recommendation is a powerful tool to advance towards the attainment of SDGs. During the last years, a growing number of countries worldwide have developed strategies and policies to facilitate transition to formality. Social partners are also developing their relations with workers and enterprises in the informal economy.

Formalization of the economy is a complex and long term process that often requires to combine interventions on laws and regulations with those aiming to foster productivity and the ability to generate wealth. For part of the workforce, the reduction of decent work deficits is the first step toward a progressive formalization in the longer term. The significant reduction of informality in some countries illustrates that achieving results is largely possible.

News and articles

ILO and EUROSTAT host global conference on measuring new forms of employment
Assistant Director-General Manuela Tomei addresses the conference

ILO and EUROSTAT host global conference on measuring new forms of employment

Why labour statistics matter
Video interview with Rafael Diez de Medina, Director of ILO’s Department of Statistics

Video interview

Why labour statistics matter

Publications

Strengthening women’s cooperatives: The experience of SEWA Cooperative Federation

Strengthening women’s cooperatives: The experience of SEWA Cooperative Federation

Informality and Structural Transformation in Egypt, Iraq and Jordan

Informality and Structural Transformation in Egypt, Iraq and Jordan

Guidance on leveraging sustainability pathways to accelerate formalization

SOLIFEM

Guidance on leveraging sustainability pathways to accelerate formalization

Projects

Promoting Decent Work For Syrians Under Temporary Protection and Turkish Citizens

Project

Promoting Decent Work For Syrians Under Temporary Protection and Turkish Citizens

JEUN’ESS: Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy and Creation of Decent Jobs for Tunisian Youth

JEUN’ESS: Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy and Creation of Decent Jobs for Tunisian Youth

Ongoing and upcoming events

Arab Social Protection Compass “Towards Integrated Approaches for Universal Social Protection”

Webinar Series

Arab Social Protection Compass “Towards Integrated Approaches for Universal Social Protection”

Key issues

Statistics on informality

Support and training

ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards
An illustration showing three helpdesk staff.

ILO Helpdesk for Business on International Labour Standards

Training Programmes on formalization
training icon solid

Training Programmes on formalization