Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Informal workers represent about 60% of the global labor force. These workers often lack social protection, labor rights, and access to health care, education, or training opportunities. According to the OECD, these challenges are set to worsen due to the climate crisis and the shift toward green energy. Sustainable development strategies must therefore prioritize formalizing economies and reducing vulnerabilities among informal workers.
The OECD notes that in Southeast Asia, sectors relying on natural resources—such as agriculture, waste management, ecotourism, and wood product manufacturing—employ over one-third of the workforce. Workers in these sectors typically earn 20% less than the national median income and are often informally employed without social protection. These conditions increase their exposure to the negative effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
To address these issues, the OECD provides original data and analysis to help global policymakers better understand informality, design policy solutions, and strengthen social protection systems. This includes support for West African countries to develop integrated approaches linking humanitarian, development, and peace initiatives, aiming to address food and nutrition crises worsened by conflict and environmental challenges.