Table 1 Economic growth and changing labor market conditions in five developing countries
From: Challenges and policy lessons for the growth-employment-poverty nexus in developing countries
China, approx. last 25 years | India, approx. last 25 years | Brazil, 1996-2004 | Mexico, 2000-2006 | South Africa, approx. last 20 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economic growth | Highest in the world | Second highest in the world until recently | Slow growth | Moderate growth | Moderate growth |
Unemployment rate | Decreased (urban) | Low and falling | Rose | Rose but still very low | Sharp rise, then slow fall |
Mix of jobs | Fast improvements | Slow improvements | Mixed pattern of changes | Improved | Worsened |
Real labor earnings | Sharp increase | Positive for all labor force groups | Median fell | Slow rise | Rose, unequally |
Income inequality | Large increase | Rose | Rose for several groups | Fell | Rose |
Absolute poverty | Sharp decrease | Continuous fall | Increased | Fell | Fell because of social grants, not changes in labor market |
Overall change in labor market conditions | Generally, much better | Improved slowly | Mixed changes | Generally positive | Mixed changes |