Meagher, Kate (2016) The scramble for Africans: demography, globalisation and Africa’s informal labour markets. The Journal of Development Studies, 52 (4). pp. 483-497. ISSN 0022-0388
|
PDF
- Accepted Version
Download (611Kb) | Preview |
Abstract
Images of an 'African Boom' have presented us with labour markets full of dynamic potential: a declining dependency ratio, low levels of unemployment, and a vibrant middle class. This buoyant view of African labour markets conceals a less encouraging reality of catastrophic youth unemployment and expanding informality, creating a 'youth bulge' that is more of a threat than an opportunity. How does the continent with the largest share of informal labour in the world become a beacon of prosperity? Whose prosperity are we talking about? As the Bottom of the Pyramid strategies of MNCs penetrate African informal economies, are we witnessing the global integration of African informal labour, or an increasingly unstable process of 'adverse incorporation'? This paper will explore the reality beneath the outbreak of labour market optimism, and consider why African labour markets are being painted in such rosy colours.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/fjds20 |
| Additional Information: | © 2016 Taylor and Francis |
| Library of Congress subject classification: | H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor |
| Sets: | Departments > International Development |
| Date Deposited: | 29 May 2015 13:01 |
| URL: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/62141/ |
Actions (login required)
 |
Record administration - authorised staff only |
Download statistics
Download statistics