Jobless Development

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry analyzed Core Insights - The paper introduces the concept of "jobless development," highlighting that productivity growth in many emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) is often negatively correlated with changes in the employment-to-population ratio [4][8][26] - It emphasizes significant differences in steady-state employment-to-population ratios across countries, particularly for women, where fewer legal protections correlate with lower employment ratios [4][9][30] Summary by Sections Introduction - The report discusses the dynamics of GDP per capita and its components, emphasizing the importance of the employment-to-population ratio in understanding economic development [8] - It contrasts the development trajectories of South Korea and India, noting that while both experienced GDP growth, South Korea saw an increase in employment ratios, whereas India experienced a decline [8][9] Methodology and Data - The analysis employs a two-stage methodology: first estimating steady-state employment ratios and then examining the correlation with institutional and policy factors [9][13] - The dataset includes 160 countries from 1960 to 2019, focusing on 103 EMDEs for the period 2000-2019, utilizing various data sources including the World Bank and ILO [22] First-Stage Regression Results - The results indicate that slower productivity growth and faster working-age population growth are associated with increases in employment-to-population ratios [23][24] - The analysis reveals that higher initial employment ratios correlate with slower increases in these ratios, suggesting conditional convergence towards country-specific steady-state levels [27][28] Second-Stage Regression Results - The second-stage analysis identifies several correlates of steady-state employment ratios, including trade openness, access to finance, and labor market flexibility [36][39] - It highlights that while few factors correlate with higher aggregate employment ratios, many are associated with higher non-agricultural employment ratios [36][37] Correlates Identified in the Literature - The report discusses structural factors influencing steady-state employment levels, such as trade openness, infrastructure investment, and labor market policies [37][39][40] - It notes that greater access to finance can stimulate investment and employment growth, while restrictive labor laws may hinder employment in the formal sector [40][42]