List of countries by share of informal employment in total employment explained

The following article lists countries by the share of informal employment in total employment. Informal employment, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), refers to work arrangements that lack legal protection, social security benefits, and employment rights. It typically occurs in the unregulated or unprotected sector of the economy, where workers often lack formal contracts, job stability, and access to benefits such as paid leave, healthcare, and retirement plans. Informal employment is characterized by its casual nature, low wages, limited job security, and often involves self-employment or work in small, unregistered businesses. Worldwide, over 60 percent of workers are in informal employment. Informal employment differs significantly in different world regions. In Africa, a staggering 85.8 percent of employment falls under the informal sector, while in Asia and the Pacific, it accounts for 68.2 percent. The Arab States follow closely with 68.6 percent, while in the Americas, the proportion is 40.0 percent. Europe and Central Asia demonstrate the lowest prevalence of informal employment at 25.1 percent.[1]

Ranking

Countries by share of the labour force in informal employment.[2]

RankCountryShare of informal employment
(in percent)
Year
198.3%2014
297.3%2012
397.1%2021
496.9%2018
596.9%2018
695.7%2018
95.7%2015
895.2%2015
95.2%2021
1094.8%2018
1194.7%2017
1294.0%2020
1393.3%2020
1493.1%2018
1591.7%2019
1691.6%2012
1790.3%2021
1890.1%2017
1989.6%2017
2089.4%2019
89.4%2019
2289.1%2021
2388.8%2017
2488.4%2021
2587.5%2021
2687.1%2021
87.1%2014
87.1%2013
2987.0%2011
3086.5%2019
3186.4%2021
3286.0%2021
3385.2%2021
3484.3%2021
3582.6%2017
3682.5%2019
3781.6%2017
81.6%2012
3981.5%2019
4081.0%2020
4180.9%2019
4280.6%2021
4380.2%2022
4479.6%2022
4579.5%2018
4678.1%2015
4777.4%2014
4875.0%2022
4973.6%2017
5072.6%2019
5168.7%2022
5268.6%2022
5368.3%2015
5468.1%2022
5567.9%2022
5667.5%2022
5767.2%2020
5867.0%2019
67.0%2021
6065.0%2018
6163.2%2021
6262.0%2016
6361.3%2014
6458.8%2016
6558.3%2021
58.3%2017
6758.1%2022
6857.3%2021
6956.7%2019
7056.6%2022
7156.1%2020
7255.9%2022
7355.8%2018
7455.7%2021
7555.6%2020
7655.4%2019
7753.9%2022
7852.6%2017
7952.1%2016
8051.6%2021
8150.5%2017
8250.2%2021
8350.0%2019
8448.9%2021
8548.1%2019
8648.0%2021
8743.6%2016
8843.2%2021
8942.2%2022
9039.3%2022
9138.5%2022
9234.0%2021
34.0%2022
9433.1%2021
9531.2%2022
9630.1%2021
9729.9%2021
9827.4%2022
9926.6%2019
10026.1%2021
10124.5%2018
10219.9%2022
10318.3%2021
10417.0%2021
17.0%2020
10616.8%2021
10716.3%2020
10812.1%2020
10911.8%2021
11011.2%2021
11110.3%2021
11210.2%2020
11310.1%2022
1149.7%2021
1159.1%2021
1168.4%2021
1177.7%2021
1187.6%2019
1196.8%2021
1206.4%2021
1216.3%2021
1226.2%2021
1236.0%2021
1245.1%2021
1254.9%2020
1264.8%2021
1274.4%2021
1283.8%2021
1293.4%2021
1303.3%2021
1313.2%2021
1322.1%2021
1331.6%2021
1341.4%2014

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2018-04-30 . More than 60 per cent of the world's employed population are in the informal economy . 2023-06-24 . www.ilo.org . en.
  2. Web site: ILO Data Explorer: Proportion of informal employment in total employment by sex and sector (%) . 2023-06-24 . www.ilo.org.