Emerging economies face unique labor market challenges: large informal sectors, rapid urbanization, young and growing populations, and the need to absorb millions of new workers each year. This starter compares India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, and South Africa to highlight the diversity of labor market conditions across the developing world. How do demographic pressures shape unemployment? What explains differences in female labor force participation?
Key Data Points
Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Nigeria -- Emp/pop ratio (%), Female LFPR (%), Unemployment (%), Youth unemp. (%), LFPR (%), Pop growth (%)
Brazil
59.4%
India
53.3%
Indonesia
65.8%
South Africa
37.6%
Nigeria
80%
Brazil
53.4%
India
32.4%
Indonesia
53.7%
South Africa
49.9%
Nigeria
80.7%
Brazil
7.1%
India
4.9%
Indonesia
5%
South Africa
32.7%
Nigeria
3.1%
Brazil
14%
India
16%
Indonesia
13%
South Africa
59.9%
Nigeria
5.3%
Brazil
63.1%
India
55.7%
Indonesia
68%
South Africa
55.6%
Nigeria
82.5%
Brazil
0.41 % annual
India
0.89 % annual
Indonesia
0.81 % annual
South Africa
1.25 % annual
Nigeria
2.08 % annual