1. Informal Sector Statistics
MALDIVES
Informal Sector Statistics
Informal Sector Statistics Training
Bangkok, Thailand | November 2017

2. Outline of presentation
Definition of informal sector
Status of the informal sector in your country
Country policies for informal sector
Current statistics being produced
What data sources do you collect?
National Accounts and the informal sector
Country specific issues in statistics
Development plans
How development partners can help

3. Definitions
All economic activities that are not regulated by any government authority are considered as the informal sector.
Or economic activities undertaken within the households and not having any fixed business location are considered as the informal sector

4. Definitions
If an employee does not have a contract, and employer does not contribute to pension scheme and employer does not contribute to health insurance scheme is considered as the informal employment.

5. Status of informal sector statistics
Key indicators
Figure 1: Summary statistics of 15+ population

6. Status of informal sector statistics
Composition of population by broad age groups, 2006 and 2014

7. Status of informal sector statistics
Employed, unemployed and working age population, 2006 and 2014

8. Country polices
Promote employment and enterprising opportunities for vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth
Foster formation of co-operatives in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and craft making and empower informal workers to carry out income generating activities as a recognized and registered legal vehicle.

9. Country polices
Encourage formalization of informal enterprises through regulation and incentives.
Expand safety nets available to workers operating in the informal economy.

10. Data sources Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) Census
HIES 2016 attempt to cover the informal sector
Data would be represented at the Atoll level
This survey would be conducted in every 5 years
Census
Economic Survey
Labor Force Survey

11. National Accounts
Adjustment for informal sector is done only in the benchmark year.
The adjustment is based on
commodity flow approach
Value added per employee
Number of employees

12. Issues Issues Maldives face/need to resolve
Currently there is no proper mechanism to compile data on informal sector
The frequency of the Survey cycle very much depends on the availability of funds
SDG indicators for goals 8 &10
The data for the indicators on goal 8 & 10 will be available through HIES 2016, which will be published on December 2017
(no data on disability available through any surveys)

13. Development plans for NSO
Plans to develop and enhance informal sector statistics
HIES 2016 data analysis to be completed by December 2017
Incorporate in the upcoming NSDS revision process

14. Development partners
Provide technical expertise on guidance/assistance on improving the Informal sector;
Guideline on the analysis of informal sector using the HIES 2016
Conduct a data mapping exercise on existing data sources (censuses, surveys and administrative data) on Informal sector

15. Q&A