Shadow Economies Around the World: What Did We Learn Over the Last 20 Years?

Shadow Economies Around the World: What Did We Learn Over the Last 20 Years? PDF

Author: Leandro Medina

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2018-01-25

Total Pages: 114

ISBN-13: 1484339177

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

We undertake an extended discussion of the latest developments about the existing and new estimation methods of the shadow economy. New results on the shadow economy for 158 countries all over the world are presented over 1991 to 2015. Strengths and weaknesses of these methods are assessed and a critical comparison and evaluation of the methods is carried out. The average size of the shadow economy of the 158 countries over 1991 to 2015 is 31.9 percent. The largest ones are Zimbabwe with 60.6 percent, and Bolivia with 62.3 percent of GDP. The lowest ones are Austria with 8.9 percent, and Switzerland with 7.2 percent. The new methods, especially the new macro method, Currency Demand Approach (CDA) and Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) in a structured hybrid-model based estimation procedure, are promising approaches from an econometric standpoint, alongside some new micro estimates. These estimations come quite close to others used by statistical offices or based on surveys.

The Shadow Economy

The Shadow Economy PDF

Author: Friedrich Schneider

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2013-02-14

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1107034841

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book presents new data to give an overview of shadow economies from OECD countries and propose solutions to prevent illicit work.

Shadow Economies Around the World

Shadow Economies Around the World PDF

Author: Mr.Friedrich Schneider

Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

Published: 2000-01-01

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781451844375

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This paper presents estimates of the size of the shadow economy in 76 developing, transition, and OECD countries, which are derived by combining figures from different estimation methods. We describe and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different estimation methods. We find that the growth of the shadow economy—which is now remarkably large in the 76 countries—is strongly related to increasing burdens of taxation and social security contributions, as well as to the extent of state regulatory activities. Rising corruption also has a clearly positive impact on the growth of the shadow economy.

Formalizing the Shadow Economy in Serbia

Formalizing the Shadow Economy in Serbia PDF

Author: Gorana Krstić

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-04-21

Total Pages: 179

ISBN-13: 331913437X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The main objective of this book is to develop a strategy and policy measures to enhance the formalization of the shadow economy in order to improve the competitiveness of the economy and contribute to economic growth; it explores these issues with special reference to Serbia. The size and development of the shadow economy in Serbia and other Central and Eastern European countries are estimated using two different methods (the MIMIC method and household-tax-compliance method). Micro-estimates are based on a special survey of business entities in Serbia, which for the first time allows us to explore the shadow economy from the perspective of enterprises and entrepreneurs. The authors identify the types of shadow economy at work in business entities, the determinants of shadow economy participation, and the impact of competition from the informal sector on businesses. Readers will learn both about the potential fiscal effects of reducing the shadow economy to the levels observed in more developed countries and the effects that formalization of the shadow economy can have on economic growth.

The Long Shadow of Informality

The Long Shadow of Informality PDF

Author: Franziska Ohnsorge

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2022-02-09

Total Pages: 397

ISBN-13: 1464817545

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A large percentage of workers and firms operate in the informal economy, outside the line of sight of governments in emerging market and developing economies. This may hold back the recovery in these economies from the deep recessions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic--unless governments adopt a broad set of policies to address the challenges of widespread informality. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of the extent of informality and its implications for a durable economic recovery and for long-term development. It finds that pervasive informality is associated with significantly weaker economic outcomes--including lower government resources to combat recessions, lower per capita incomes, greater poverty, less financial development, and weaker investment and productivity.

The Informal Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Informal Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa PDF

Author: Leandro Medina

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2017-07-10

Total Pages: 31

ISBN-13: 1484309030

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The multiple indicator-multiple cause (MIMIC) method is a well-established tool for measuring informal economic activity. However, it has been criticized because GDP is used both as a cause and indicator variable. To address this issue, this paper applies for the first time the light intensity approach (instead of GDP). It also uses the Predictive Mean Matching (PMM) method to estimate the size of the informal economy for Sub-Saharan African countries over 24 years. Results suggest that informal economy in Sub-Saharan Africa remains among the largest in the world, although this share has been very gradually declining. It also finds significant heterogeneity, with informality ranging from a low of 20 to 25 percent in Mauritius, South Africa and Namibia to a high of 50 to 65 percent in Benin, Tanzania and Nigeria.

Explaining the Shadow Economy in Europe: Size, Causes and Policy Options

Explaining the Shadow Economy in Europe: Size, Causes and Policy Options PDF

Author: Mr.Ben Kelmanson

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-12-13

Total Pages: 29

ISBN-13: 1513520695

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This paper examines the drivers, and reestimates the size of shadow economies in Europe, with a focus on the emerging economies, and recommends policies to increase formality. The size of shadow economies declined across Europe in recent years but remains significant, especially in Eastern Europe. In the emerging European economies, the key determinants of shadow economy size are regulatory quality, government effectiveness, and human capital. The paper argues that a comprehensive package of reforms, focused on country-specific drivers, is needed to successfully combat the shadow economy. The menu of policies most relevant for Europe’s emerging economies include: reducing regulatory and administrative burdens, promoting transparency and improving government effectiveness, as well as improving tax compliance, automating procedures, and promoting electronic payments.

Hiding in the Shadows

Hiding in the Shadows PDF

Author: Friedrich Schneider

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2002-04-16

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Based on IMF working paper 00/26, "Shadow Economies Around the World: Size, Causes, and Consequences," February 2000.

Corruption, Fraud, Organized Crime, and the Shadow Economy

Corruption, Fraud, Organized Crime, and the Shadow Economy PDF

Author: Maximilian Edelbacher

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2015-10-15

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 1482255324

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Fueled by corruption, fraud, and organized crime, the shadow economyalso known as the informal, black market, illegal, or underground economyis currently on the rise worldwide. Corruption, Fraud, Organized Crime, and the Shadow Economy addresses shadow economies and the players involved by examining various aspects of criminal law and prosecution