The Shadow Economy

Friedrich Schneider & Colin C. Williams, The Shadow Economy, Institute of Economic Affairs, 2013

96 Pages Posted: 30 Jun 2013

See all articles by Friedrich Schneider

Friedrich Schneider

Johannes Kepler University Linz - Department of Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research); Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Colin Williams

University of Sheffield - School of Management

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: June 1, 2013

Abstract

A review of the size and nature of the shadow economy and what might be done to tackle it.

Reducing tax evasion, the shadow economy and informal employment has been an important policy goal in OECD countries during recent decades. The shadow economy is notoriously difficult to measure, however. Given the difficulties in measuring the shadow economy, statistical work on its causes and how to deal with it is especially problematic. Nevertheless, data is available that can help us explore these issues. But, why is it important to try to know more about the shadow economy?

Keywords: shadow economy, informal employment, informal economy, undeclared work

JEL Classification: O26

Suggested Citation

Schneider, Friedrich G. and Williams, Colin, The Shadow Economy (June 1, 2013). Friedrich Schneider & Colin C. Williams, The Shadow Economy, Institute of Economic Affairs, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2286334

Friedrich G. Schneider

Johannes Kepler University Linz - Department of Economics ( email )

Altenbergerstrasse 69
A-4040 Linz, 4040
Austria
+43 732 2468 8210 (Phone)
+43 732 2468 8208 (Fax)

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.CESifo.de

Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Colin Williams (Contact Author)

University of Sheffield - School of Management ( email )

15 Conduit Road
Sheffield, S10 1FL
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/management/staff/williams/index

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