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Surveying Informal Businesses : Methodology and Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Aga,Gemechu A.
  • Francis,David C.
  • Jolevski,Filip
  • Rodriguez Meza,Jorge Luis
  • Wimpey,Joshua Seth

Abstract

Informal business activity is ubiquitous around the world, but it is nearly alwaysuncaptured by administrative data, registries, or commercial sources. For this reason, there are rarely adequate samplingframes available for survey implementers wishing to measure the activity and characteristics of the sector. This paperpresents a methodology to generate a representative sample of informal businesses using an adaptive, geographicallybased method called Adaptive Cluster Sampling. Developed forpopulations that are clustered and/or rare, this method helps with efficiently sampling Primary SamplingUnits—blocks—that are fully enumerated, and from which Secondary Sampling Units—businesses—can be randomly sampledto conduct interviews. The paper shows how this methodology can be applied to surveying informal businesses, oftenreducing both the average variance of population estimates and fieldwork effort. Practical considerations and guidancefor implementation and analysis are also provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Aga,Gemechu A. & Francis,David C. & Jolevski,Filip & Rodriguez Meza,Jorge Luis & Wimpey,Joshua Seth, 2022. "Surveying Informal Businesses : Methodology and Applications," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9905, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:9905
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    References listed on IDEAS

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