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Informality and Gender Gaps Going Hand in Hand

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  • Vivian Malta
  • Ms. Lisa L Kolovich
  • Angelica Martinez
  • Ms. Marina Mendes Tavares

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa women work relatively more in the informal sector than men. Many factors could explain this difference, including women’s lower education levels, legal barriers, social norms and demographic characteristics. Cross-country comparisons indicate strong associations between gender gaps and higher female informality. This paper uses microdata from Senegal to assess the probability of a worker being informal, and our main findings are: (i) in urban areas, being a woman increases this probability by 8.5 percent; (ii) education is usually more relevant for women; (iii) having kids reduces men’s probability of being informal but increases women’s.

Suggested Citation

  • Vivian Malta & Ms. Lisa L Kolovich & Angelica Martinez & Ms. Marina Mendes Tavares, 2019. "Informality and Gender Gaps Going Hand in Hand," IMF Working Papers 2019/112, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Davis, Lewis S. & Williamson, Claudia R., 2022. "Individualism and women's economic rights," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 579-597.
    3. Ebenezer Lemven Wirba & Fiennasah Annif’ Akem & Francis Menjo Baye, 2021. "Earnings gap between men and women in the informal labor market in Cameroon," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 1466-1491, August.

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