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The World, Explained · 45 sec

Informal economy

A small piece of context that makes the wider world easier to read.

  1. The useful idea

    An informal economy (informal sector or grey economy) is the part of any economy that is neither taxed nor monitored by any form of government.

  2. How it works

    Although the informal sector makes up a significant portion of the economies in developing countries, it is sometimes stigmatized as troublesome and unmanageable.

  3. Why it matters

    However, the informal sector provides critical economic opportunities for the poor and has been expanding rapidly since the 1960s.

Use Informal economy as context when interpreting events and claims about the world.

Use Informal economy as context when interpreting events and claims about the world.

Test your recall

Which idea belongs to the explanation of Informal economy?

  • Why it matters
  • How it works
  • The useful idea — correct

An informal economy (informal sector or grey economy) is the part of any economy that is neither taxed nor monitored by any form of government.

EvergreenLast verified 2026-07-19

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