| Abstract: |
In this paper the main focus lies on the shadow economy and on work in the
shadow in OECD, developing and transition countries. Besides informal
employment in the rural and non-rural sector also other measures of informal
employment like the share of employees not covered by social security, own
account workers or unpaid family workers are shown. The most influential
factors on the shadow economy and/or shadow labor force are tax policies and
state regulation, which, if they rise, increase both. Furthermore the
discussion of the recent micro studies underline that economic opportunities,
the overall burden of the state (taxes and regulations), the general situation
on the labor market, and unemployment are crucial for an understanding of the
dynamics of the shadow economy and especially the shadow labor force. |