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Spatial Inequality, Poverty and Informality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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  • Ibale, Douglas Amuli
  • Docquier, Frédéric
  • Iftikhar, Zainab

Abstract

We construct a model incorporating labor market frictions to elucidate income disparities among provinces, sectors (formal vs. informal), and skill categories (skilled vs. unskilled) within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through quantitative analysis, we demonstrate the significance of technologies, human capital, infrastructure, and labor market frictions in explaining spatial and intra-province inequalities. Although technological disparities emerge as the primary drivers, our findings underscore the presence of strong “O-ring” inequality patterns. This implies that effective development policies necessitate a mix of coordinated policy measures. When considered in isolation, policies focused on enhancing education, infrastructure, and mitigating labor market frictions could potentially escalate poverty along the intensive margin. Additionally, a development policy disregarding the informal sector also yields counterproductive distributional and poverty outcomes.

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  • Ibale, Douglas Amuli & Docquier, Frédéric & Iftikhar, Zainab, 2024. "Spatial Inequality, Poverty and Informality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:173:y:2024:i:c:s0305750x23002292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106411
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Informality; Inequality; Labor market frictions; O-ring theory of development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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