Samal, Kishor C. creator text New Delhi Digital Publishing House 2025 1 monographic Eng lis h 268p. Contents Preface 1. Understanding the Informal Economy Definition History Characteristics Statistics Social and Political Implications and Issues Expansion and Growth Policy Suggestions Asia-Pacific 2.Urban vs. Rural Informal Work Urbanization in India Rural Industry in India Nature of Informal Work in Urban Areas Structure of Informal Work in Rural Areas Socio-Economic Differences in Workforce Composition Vulnerabilities and Working Conditions Policy Landscape and Institutional Interventions Towards an Inclusive and Integrated Approach 3.Gender and the Informal Workforce Gender Inequality in India Overview of Women's Participation in the Informal Economy . Gender-Specific Challenges in Informal Work . Domestic Workers and Vulnerability Women in Home-Based and Piece-Rate Work Impact of Social Norms and Patriarchy Access to Credit, Assets, and Technology Women and Social Protection Gaps COVID-19 and its Gendered Impact Pathways toward Empowerment and Inclusion Conclusion 4. Micro-Enterprises and Self-Employment Self-Employment: An Overview . Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Understanding Micro-Enterprises in the Informal Economy Rise of Self-Employment in the Informal Sector Women and Micro-Entrepreneurship Informal Finance and Capital Constraints Technology and Informal Entrepreneurship Policy Support and Institutional Gaps Urban vs. Rural Informal Enterprises The Role of Education and Skill Development . Market Access and Business Development Services Towards Formalization and Sustainability Conclusion 5. Street Vendors, Artisans, and Domestic Workers Street Vendors: Informal Retail and Urban Livelihoods Artisans: Cultural Heritage and Informal Craftsmanship Domestic Workers: Invisible Labor in Private Spaces Gender and Social Dimensions of Informal Work Health, Safety, and Living Conditions The Role of Civil Society and Collective Action Policy Imperatives for Inclusive Growth . Conclusion 6. Contribution to GDP and Employment Gross Domestic Product Employment Dominance of Informal Employment in the Workforce Contribution to GDP: Measuring the Informal Economy's Value Regional and Sectoral Distribution Constraints and Challenges Faced by Informal Workers The Role of Policy and Reforms Impact of Economic Shocks and the Need for Resilience Informal Economy and the Future of Work Conclusion 7. The Role of Cooperatives and NGOs Understanding the Role of Cooperatives in the Informal Sector Corporate Social Responsibility Empowering Informal Workers through NGOs Cooperatives and NGOs as Intermediaries for Financial Inclusion Advocacy and Policy Influence Strengthening Gender Equality in the Informal Economy Challenges and Future Prospects Conclusion 8. Health, Pension, and Insurance Coverage Health Health in India Pension Pensions in India Insurance Insurance in India The Health Vulnerabilities of Informal Workers Challenges in Pension Security for Informal Workers Insurance and Protection against Risks Role of Government and Policy Gaps Community-Based Initiatives and Civil Society's Role The Digital Opportunity and Future Directions Conclusion Bibliography Index This book offers an in-depth exploration of India's informal economy, a vast and dynamic segment that drives much of the country's labor and economic activities. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, field insights, and policy analysis, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of how the informal sector functions, the challenges and opportunities it presents in the context of India's socio-economic landscape, tracing its historical foundations and explaining how informal work continues to absorb the majority of the labor force, particularly among marginalized groups such as women, migrants, and low-income communities. The book sheds light on key components of the informal economy including micro-enterprises, street vending, home-based work, domestic labor, artisanal production, and gig-based employment. It emphasizes the dual role of the informal sector as both a source of resilience and vulnerability — providing livelihoods to millions while often operating without legal recognition, financial support, or social protection. Through chapters dedicated to issues such as health, pensions, digitization, gender dynamics, and policy frameworks, the book outlines the complex realities of informal workers who remain excluded from many of the rights and benefits associated with formal employment. Designed for students, researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners, this book is both an analytical and practical resource. It not only documents the lived experiences of informal workers across different sectors and regions but also engages critically with debates on formalization, labor rights, and economic justice. Through a balanced narrative, the book invites readers to rethink conventional understandings of employment and value creation in India, and to recognize the informal economy as a central—not peripheral—element of national progress. Informal Economy- Economics 330 SAM/I 9789394014893 20260617130303.0