Abstract: This book brings together a new collection of studies on formality and informality in developing countries. The concepts of formal and informal are still central to the theory and practice of development more than half a century after they were first introduced. They help structure the way that statistical services collect data on the economies of developing countries, the development of theoretical and empirical analysis, and, most important, the formulation and implementation of policy. This book argues for moving beyond the formal-informal dichotomy. Useful as it has proven to be, a more nuanced approach is needed in light of conceptual and empirical advances, and in light of the policy failures brought about by a characterization of the ‘informal’ as ‘disorganized’. The book is multidisciplinary in nature, with contributions from anthropologists, economists, sociologists, and political scientists.

Keywords: developing countries, development, statistical services, policy, dichotomy, disorganized