The scramble for Africans: demography, globalisation and Africa’s informal labour markets

Kate Meagher

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: Images of an 'African Boom' have presented us with labour markets full of dynamic potential: a declining dependency ratio; low levels of unemployment; and a vibrant middle class. This buoyant view of African labour markets conceals a less encouraging reality of catastrophic youth unemployment and expanding informality. How has the continent known for the world's highest share of informal labour become a beacon of prosperity? This article will explore the reality beneath the outbreak of informal economic optimism, and consider why African labour markets are being painted in such rosy colours.

JEL-codes: J01 J1 R14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-04-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-iue and nep-pke
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

Published in The Journal of Development Studies, 2, April, 2016, 52(4), pp. 483 - 497. ISSN: 0022-0388

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