Economic Growth and Human Development: Key Drivers of Informal Labor in South Sulawesi

Authors

  • Dirmansyah Darwin Universitas Negeri Makassar
  • I Made Jyotisa Adi Dwipatna Universitas Negeri Makasar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijfbm.v4i2.205

Keywords:

informal labor, poverty, economic growth, human development index

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the factors influencing the number of informal laborers in South Sulawesi Province during the period 2018-2024. Using a quantitative approach with a static panel data model, this research examines the influence of three main variables: poverty rate, Human Development Index (HDI), and economic growth on the number of informal laborers. The data used covers 24 regencies/cities in South Sulawesi with 168 observations. The results show that HDI and economic growth have a significant effect on informal labor, while the poverty rate does not show a significant effect in the chosen model. The best estimation model used is the Random Effects Model (REM), which provides stable and efficient estimates. These findings indicate that improvements in human development quality and increased economic growth can reduce dependence on the informal sector, while poverty is not always the main factor in determining informal employment. This study provides important insights for regional development policies in South Sulawesi to reduce labor disparities between the formal and informal sectors.

References

Breitung, J., Roling, C., & Salish, N. (2016). Lagrange multiplier type tests for slope homogeneity in panel data models. The Econometrics Journal, 19(2), 166–202. https://doi.org/10.1111/ectj.12070

Charmes, J. (2012). The informal economy: A global review of the literature. Economics and Statistics Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735612442043

Chen, M. A. (2012). The informal economy: Definitions, theories and policies. WIEGO Working Paper. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsr045

Dwipatna, I. M. J. A., Darwin, D., Andriani, S., Nugraha, P. A. D., & Wahyuningsih, A. N. (2025). Digital economy development in Eastern Indonesia: The infrastructure and socio-economic dimensions. Priviet Social Sciences Journal, 5(12), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i12.1040

Fields, G. S. (2019). Employment in developing countries: Patterns and policies. World Bank Research Observer. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/lky023

Frondel, M., & Vance, C. (2010). Fixed, random, or something in between? A variant of Hausman’s specification test for panel data estimators. Economics Letters, 107(3), 327–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2010.02.007

Ghosh, A. (2016). Informal sector, employment, and income: A cross-country analysis. Journal of Development Studies, 52(1), 37-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jds.2016.01.001

Granger, C. W. J., & Newbold, P. (1974). Spurious regressions in econometrics. Journal of Econometrics, 2(2), 111–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4076(74)90034-7

Hart, K. (1973). Informal income opportunities and urban employment in Ghana. Journal of Modern African Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/03056247308703281

International Labour Organization. (2018). Women and men in the informal economy: A statistical picture. https://doi.org/10.54394/XLEP6322

Krause, M., & Krug, G. (2014). Human development and informal employment in developing countries: Empirical evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. World Development, 54, 182-194. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0327.2014.00272.x

Lewis, W. A. (1954). Economic development with unlimited supplies of labour. The Manchester School. https://doi.org/10.2307/2226839

Loayza, N., & Rigolini, J. (2011). Informal employment: Safety net or growth engine? World Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2010.12.001

Nguyen, H., et al. (2020). Education and informality in developing countries. Journal of Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2019.1586845

Schneider, F. (2014). Size and measurement of the informal economy in 110 countries around the world. Journal of Development Economics, 91(2), 110-115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-014-0269-1

Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2020). Economic Development (13th ed.). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429491180

Tokman, V. E. (2007). Informal employment in Latin America: Facts and norms. World Development, 35(4), 572–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.01.002

Published

2026-04-04

Issue

Section

Articles