Supply-Side Economics of a Good Type: Supporting and Expanding South Africa’s Informal Economy

Zaakhir Asmal, Haroon Bhorat, Alexia Lochmann, Alexia Lochmann and Kishan Shah ()
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Kishan Shah: Development Policy Research Unit, University of Cape Town

Working Papers from University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit

Abstract: This report presents an empirical profile of South Africa’s informal sector, with an aim of understanding in empirical detail, why South Africa’s informal sector employment remains relatively low in comparison to other developing countries. We present an overview of exogenous constraints to informal activity in South Africa, accompanied by feedback from relevant national and local policy officials where appropriate. We received limited feedback from city officials – itself an indicator of how the informal sector is currently viewed within the country. We consider the limited feedback received within the context of existing data and findings in the literature concerning the informal sector of South Africa. We then provide a preliminary discussion on possible supply-side policy options for expanding the informal sector in South Africa and challenges that may be faced in this regard.

Keywords: informal sector; developing country; South Africa; employment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2024-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev and nep-iue
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published in Working Paper Series by the Development Policy Research Unit, June 2024, pages 1-41

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https://commerce.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/med ... /dpru-wp202403_0.pdf First version, 2024 (application/pdf)

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Working Paper: Supply-Side Economics of a Good Type: Supporting and Expanding South Africa’s Informal Economy (2024)
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