Title: Different Dreams, Same Bed: Collecting, Using, and Interpreting Employment Statistics in Sub-Saharan Africa - The Case of Uganda
Abstract: No AccessPolicy Research Working Papers27 Jun 2013Different Dreams, Same Bed: Collecting, Using, and Interpreting Employment Statistics in Sub-Saharan Africa - The Case of UgandaAuthors/Editors: Louise Fox, Obert PimhidzaiLouise Fox, Obert Pimhidzaihttps://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-6436SectionsAboutPDF (0.5 MB) ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookTwitterLinked In Abstract:Employment and earnings statistics are the key link between the size and structure of economic growth and the welfare of households, which is the ultimate goal of development policy, so it is important to monitor employment outcomes consistently A cursory review of employment data for low-income Sub-Saharan African countries shows both large gaps and improbable variation within countries over time and among countries, suggesting that low quality data are routinely reported by national statistics offices Unfortunately, policies are formed and projects developed and implemented on the basis of these statistics Therefore, errors of measurement could be having profound implications on the strategic priorities and policies of a country This paper explains the improbable results observed by using data from Uganda, where the labor module contains variation both within and across surveys, to show the sensitivity of employment outcomes to survey methodology It finds that estimates of employment outcomes are unreliable if the questionnaire did not use screening questions, as labor force participation will be underestimated Likewise, surveys that use a seven-day rec period underestimate or potentiy misrepresent employment outcomes, owing to seasonality and multiple jobs Common multivariate analysis applied on household survey data will be affected, as the errors in measurement in the dependent and independent variables will be correlated Corrections to reduce measurement bias in existing data are tested with the survey data; none are found to be completely satisfactory The paper concludes that there is a knowledge gap about employment outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa that will continue unless collection techniques improve Previous bookNext book FiguresreferencesRecommendeddetailsCited byDeterminants of participation in non-farm activities and its effect on household income: An empirical study in EthiopiaJournal of Development and Agricultural Economics, Vol.13, No.131 March 2021Who is Employed ? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa on Redefining Employment2 October 2020Inequality, gender, and sustainable development: measuring feminist progressGender & Development, Vol.28, No.215 June 2020Employment Data in Household Surveys: Taking Stock, Looking Ahead1 July 2019How Much Should We Trust Micro-data? A Comparison of the Socio-demographic Profile of Malawian Households Using Census, LSMS and DHS dataThe European Journal of Development Research, Vol.30, No.430 March 2017Closing the gender data gapSignificance, Vol.13, No.28 April 2016The Invisibility of Wage Employment in Statistics on the Informal Economy in Africa: Causes and ConsequencesThe Journal of Development Studies, Vol.51, No.223 October 2014 View Published: May 2013 Copyright & Permissions Related RegionsAfricaRelated CountriesUgandaRelated TopicsMacroeconomics and Economic GrowthPoverty Reduction KeywordsEMPLOYMENTSUB-SAHARAN AFRICALABOR FORCE PARTICIPATIONLABOR FORCE SURVEYSGENDER AND EMPLOYMENT PDF downloadLoading ...