Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - The informal sector in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) contributes between 30% to 70% of GDP and employs 20% to 80% of the workforce, indicating a significant portion of economic activity operates outside regulatory frameworks [9][14]. - The study compares two widely used methods for surveying informal enterprises: household surveys and area-based enterprise surveys, revealing significant differences in the estimated number of informal enterprises, with household surveys reporting a notably higher count [4][15]. - Both survey methods yield consistent descriptive statistics regarding informal enterprises and identify key factors influencing their performance, such as bank account ownership, business sector (retail), phone usage, and operating in fixed locations outside the household [4][15]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The informal sector is a prominent feature in LMICs, with substantial contributions to GDP and employment, yet measuring its size poses significant challenges due to methodological issues [9][10]. Methodology - The study employs two main survey methods: household surveys (HS) and area-based enterprise surveys (ISES), each with distinct advantages and disadvantages in estimating the informal sector [20][21]. - The research aims to explore the differences between these methods and provide recommendations for enhancing the measurement of informal enterprises [12][13]. Findings - The analysis indicates that while the two methods differ significantly in estimating the number of informal enterprises, they are largely consistent in generating descriptive statistics about these enterprises and their performance-related factors [15]. - The informal sector in Ghana includes both agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises, with over 65% of employment and nearly 36% of GDP attributed to informal enterprises [14]. Data and Sampling Procedures - Data for the study was collected from two independent surveys conducted in the same geographical areas of Ghana, specifically in Kumasi and Tamale, during similar time frames [30][31]. - The HS-IME survey utilized a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design, while the ISES survey employed an adaptive cluster sampling method, highlighting the methodological differences in capturing informal enterprises [45][46]. Conclusion - The report emphasizes the importance of accurate data collection methods to inform policy decisions regarding the informal sector, which is crucial for understanding economic dynamics and improving labor market conditions in LMICs [14][15].